APISA, with the assistance of API Faculty and Staff, Japanese Culture Exchange Group, International Student Association, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Bellevue College Association of Veterans, International Education, and Global Leaders has planned many events from engaging speakers, to documentaries, and fun get togethers.
We start APA Heritage Month talking about the Hmong population in Western Washington (May 4) – Cynthia Yongvang. From there we will revisit a historical moment of solidarityof white and minority students when they achieved the first College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State (May 7 – Juanita Tamayo Lott).
We will then talk about the struggles of students from different cultures in adapting to Western Higher Education Systems, and what can we do to help (May 14 – Michael Tuncap).
On May 21 Kim Phuc will talk about how to overcome difficulties and struggles and find forgiveness. On In 1972, Kim’s village came under attack. The South Vietnamese military dropped napalm where the North Vietnamese were infiltrating. While running for safety, Kim was severely burned by the napalm. The famous photograph of Kim Phuc taken by the Pulitzer Prize winning AP photographer, Huyng Cong Nick Ut, is evidence of the cruelty of war toward child victims, and became a symbol of civilian suffering in the Vietnam War.
Helen Zia, (May 26) activist, award-winning author, and former journalist, will talk about Anti-Asian hate, violence against women and discrimination. Helen is a noted LGBTQ+ activist and one of the founders of the American Citizens for Justice. Starting PRIDE MONTH, Schuyler Bailar (June 4) the first openly transgender NCAA Division I swimmer, will speak to our students. He is also the first publicly documented NCAA D1 transgender man to compete as a man in any sport.
Calendar for May 2021
Note that students can sign up to receive a kit for events marked with a *
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 SPEAKER: Cynthia Yongvang Hmong: Legacy of Resilience @ 1pm * FREE KIT * Event With the JCEC: Children’s Day Origami Folding @ 3pm | 5 | 6 * FREE KIT * Cultural Lunch: Bubble Tea @ 12:30pm | 7 SPEAKER: Juanita Tamayo Lott The Legacy of Ethnic Studies @ 1pm |
| 10 | 11 Event With the JCEC: Harajuku Fashion @ 3pm | 12 | 13 Cultural Lunch: Miso, Egg Drop, Hot and Sour Soups @ 12:30pm | 14 SPEAKER: Michael Tuncap Cultivating indigenous Knowledge & Leadership @ 1pm |
| 17 | 18 * FREE KIT * Event With the JCEC: Soroban – Japanese Abacus @ 3pm | 19 | 20 * FREE KIT * Cultural Lunch: Kimchi @ 12:30pm | 21 SPEAKER: Kim Phuc The Napalm Girl: “Love is More Powerful Than Any Weapon” @ 1pm |
| 24 | 25 * FREE KIT * Event With the JCEC: Japanese Calligraphy @ 3pm | 26 SPEAKER: Helen Zia Anti-Asian Hate, Violence Against Women, and Discrimination @ 1pm | 27 Cultural Lunch: Butter Tofu/Chicken @ 12:30pm | 28 |
| 31 | June 1 * FREE KIT * Event With the JCEC: Sumie Ink Wash Painting @ 3pm | June 2 | June 3 | June 4 SPEAKER: Schuyler Bailar PRIDE MONTH @ 1pm |