Month-long celebration highlights Asian culture

Monday’s event will feature Allan Fung, Rhode Island’s first Asian American mayor.

Pratik Parikh ’10 (Garfield, NJ), feels it is important for students to be aware of the many cultures that make up the vast continent of Asia, which occupies 29 percent of the world’s land mass and accounts for 60 percent of the world’s population. The world’s largest and most populous continent, Asia comprises 47 countries, including Afghanistan, China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam.

Back row (L-R) Joshua Grolman ’12 (Johannesburg, South Africa), Cristine Cox '11 (Suitland, MD), Megha Choolani ’10 (Portland, ME), Anthony Mam '11 (Cranston, RI), Elizett Pires ’09 (New Bedford, MA), and Jose Maldanado '11 (Holyoke, MA). Front row (L-R) Gabriela Rossi ’12 (Howell, NJ) and Pratik Parikh ’10 (Garfield, NJ).

“We hope that students will learn that there are more cultures than the ones that usually come to mind when we mention Asia,” says Parikh.

As the Multicultural Student Union’s vice president of Asian American Alliance, Parikh leads a committee that is planning events to commemorate Asian Pacific Islander-American Heritage Month. This year’s theme is “Beyond the Horizon.”

MSU kicked off the month-long celebration last week with a party in the Koffler Rotunda. The program included a “What am I?” contest, which encouraged people to learn more about the different races that make up the Asian Diaspora.

The next event, which will take place today at 6 p.m. in the Stepan Grand Hall of the George E. Bello Center for Information and Technology, will feature Cranston, R.I., Mayor Allan Fung, the first Asian American mayor in the state. He will talk about the Asian Diaspora, a major cultural phenomenon defined by the history, struggles, social lifestyles, and achievements of people of Asian descent who have migrated to non-Asian countries. Mayor Fung will also examine some of the important contributions made by Asian Americans. (Learn more about Mayor Fung.)

Cultural immersion

The Bryant community is invited to Dim Sum, a traditional Chinese brunch, on Wednesday, April 8, at 1 p.m. in the Bryant Center, Room 2C. RSVP to the Intercultural Center by Monday, April 6, at (401) 232-6946.

As part of the Bengali New Year celebration on Wednesday, April 15, Mahah Mirza ’10 (Dhaka, Bangladesh) will discuss her home country. Computer Information Systems Professor Abhijit Chaudhury, who is from India, will also take part in the program, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Bryant Center Room, 2C. RSVP to the Intercultural Center by Monday, April 13, at (401) 232-6946.

Anthony Mam ’11 (Cranston, RI) will lead the Cambodian New Year event on Thursday, April 16, at 5 p.m. in the Bryant Center, Rooms 2A&B. RSVP to the Intercultural Center by Monday, April 13 at (401) 232-6946.

Photo on the left (L-R) Federico Roa '12 (Randolph, NJ) and Jennifer Herrera '10 (Melrose, MA) learn about different Asian cultures at the kickoff event. Photo on the right (L-R) Doug Emerzian '10 (Rowley, MA) and Karl Turner '12 (Carolina, RI) show off the Chinese finger traps they received at the kickoff event.

The MSU, along with the International Student Organization and the Student Programming Board, will present a Cultural Coffee House on Wednesday April 22, at 9 p.m. in the Bryant Center, South Dining Room. The event will focus on India, and participants will be able to decorate their own kites.

The grand finale takes place on Thursday, April 23, at 9 p.m. with a Late Night Luau and limbo competition, which will also serve as the official kickoff to Spring Weekend 2009.

Asian Pacific-Islander American Heritage Month is celebrated nationally in May. It was created by congressional resolution as a weeklong celebration in 1978 and was expanded in 1992.

Working in a global economy

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are more than 15.2 million people of Asian descent in America, which makes up about five percent of the total population. Between 2006 and 2007 there was a three percent increase in the Asian population in the United States – the highest of any race during that year.

“It is essential for people around the world to expand their knowledge about different traditions and customs because they will encounter these cultures, practices, and ethnicities throughout their lifetimes,” says Parikh. “The events throughout April will help prepare students to succeed in the rapidly expanding global economy.”

Asian Pacific Islander-American Heritage Month Committee

Co-Chairs

Pratik Parikh ’10 (Garfield, NJ)
Anthony Mam ’11 (Cranston, RI)

Committee Members

Jennifer Chau ’11 (Portland, ME)
Megha Choolani ’10 (Portland, ME)
Joshua Grolman ’12 (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Christina Ho ’09 (Haverstraw, NY)
Mahah Mirza ’10 (Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Elizett Pires ’09 (New Bedford, MA)
Gabriella Rossi ’12 (Howell, NJ)
Rebecca Sircar ’10 (Bridgewater, MA)