Eastern Washington University will host numerous virtual events and learning opportunities in May as it observes Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Organizers say it’s a chance to recognize the contributions of AAPI people, celebrate their rich and diverse histories, and stand in solidarity with our AAPI communities as we fight against anti-Asian racism.
“The rise of anti-Asian violence and the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic painfully remind us of the importance of educating ourselves on the contemporary and historical experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” says Pui-Yan Lam, PhD, a member of the AAPI Month planning committee and professor of Sociology and Justice Studies at EWU.
EWU’s AAPI Heritage Month celebration begins with a keynote presentation by New York University Professor Sumie Okazaki, from 12-1 p.m., Monday, May 3, via zoom.Okazaki’s discussion will focus on “Trauma and Healing in Asian American Communities Today.”
The month includes a wide variety of presentations and discussions, including: a panel discussion on the complexity of Asian American and Pacific Islander identities; a film screening of Minari & Kapaemahu; a student panel discussion on family; cooking demonstrations; weekly Wednesday discussions on the PBS Asian Americans series; and a by-stander intervention that equips us to stand up to anti-Asian racism.
Please visit the EWU Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2021 website for programming and schedule information.
