sian community celebrates history…

Wednesday, May 22, 1996

Events delve into culture of Asian Pacific IslandersBy Patrick
Marantal

Daily Bruin Staff

On May 16, Asian and Pacific Islander students packed the
Kerckhoff Art Gallery and listened to their peers recite their
personal poetry and prose.

The poetry/prose reading, called "Unleashing Tongues," was one
of the events organized by the Asian Pacific Coalition and
Worldfest to celebrate May as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage
Month.

"The one biggest thing we did was try to infuse the Asian
Pacific Islander Heritage Month into existing events," said
Coalition chairperson Levin Sy.

Begun during Carter’s presidency, Asian Pacific Islander
Heritage Month celebrates the history of the Asian community. The
theme of this month is "In Unity, In Celebration."

"With more numbers (of Asian and Pacific Islanders) on campus,
there’s a greater need to work together," Sy said. "It is a way to
celebrate our diverse culture."

Yesterday, two satellite organizations of the coalition ­
the Vietnamese Reaching Out to Aid the Community and the United
Cambodian Students ­ hosted a play reading of "Black Dawn."
The work highlights the struggle of five Cambodian women and their
movement from Southeast Asia to the United States.

Past events this month included an information fair and an art
exhibit titled, "Genitalia: The Politics of Sexuality." The
commemoration will culminate May 29 and 30 with screenings of
"Another America" and "At Face Value," sponsored by the coalition
in conjunction with the Los Angeles Film and Video Festival.

"Part of the reason (this) month was established was to reclaim
our history and heritage but also celebrate what we have now," said
Meg Thorton, coordinator for student and community projects at the
Asian American Studies Center.