Bemidji State University is celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander experience and heritage throughout the month of April. Led by the Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the university will host several events to recognize and celebrate AAPI student identities.
“Cultural celebrations and heritage experiences should be recognized not only in one the particular month, but throughout the year using multiple platforms,” Dr. Ye ‘Solar’ Hong, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, said. “Our purpose for hosting these events in April is to inspire and challenge our community to criticially think about and engage in issues that are a part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander experience.”
Asian American and Pacific Islander month is celebrated nation-wide in May to recognize the contributions made to American society by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Hong said the celebration is also a time for reflection and education on the AAPI experience and heritage within our community.
“It is imperative to engage the campus community with experiential learning opportunities to understand, support and advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” Hong said. “This is especially important as we face the presence of anti-Asian hate and an ongoing global pandemic.”
The month’s celebrations began April 11 with an interactive and multi-sensory exhibition called the “Tunnel of Oppression” where posters, timelines and video presentations are on display in the university’s Hobson Memorial Union. The event is available for public viewing from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. every day until April 14.
The on-campus experiences offered throughout April invite the community into conversations surrounding oppression, heritage and support while enhancing awareness of the APPI experience.
“It takes everyone’s effort to enhance our communities,” Hong said. “Which is why these experiences are crucial to explore and work to understand.”
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