Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates Asian American students as part of the university’s goal to recognize diversity and all races, ethnicities and cultures – but it does so much more, students and coordinators of the event believe.
“This month is not just a celebration for our people, but for the continent itself,” said Len Diamond, Asian American Student Association (AASU) event coordinator and Charger Kpop Dance Group’s sergeant-In-arms.
Diamond said AASU has several events planned for the rest of the last month of the semester.
Those events, Diamond said, include “tea tastings every week during our general meetings on Fridays, tabling for the International Festival.”
Diamond also hosted a calligraphy night.
According to Diamond, several organizations are involved in observing the month, including a K-Pop showcase on Thursday in the German Club and a DJ night for the last days of classes.
The events are for everyone on campus, Diamond said.
“There isn’t a big percentage of the student body who are of the API population, compared with the others, so I am mainly happy that the university is recognizing us as a culture and heritage, since we aren’t as celebrated worldwide as other heritages, such as Black History Month,” he said.
Diamond believes there is more work to be done to promote an inclusive environment for students of all ethnicities on campus.
“AASU’s mindset is to do an amazing job with diversity and show that all of our students are welcome to this campus environment, without attempting to overshadow other heritage months happening at the same time as ours,” said Diamond.
Arab American Heritage Month, also celebrated in April, is another celebration that helps to promote diversity.
Diamond said he appreciated the university’s support, including at the annual flag-raising event on Monday, which was attended by Ophelie Rowe-Allen, dean of students and vice president of student affairs, and Bakhtawar (Baki) Izzat, Career Development Center employee relations manager.
For more information, check out on Charger Connection and on Instagram at unewhaven.aasu.
