The Asian American Student Union will kick off Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month by hosting a series of events throughout the month of April.
Although APIDA Heritage Month doesn’t officially start until May, AASU is celebrating in April alongside the organization’s 30th anniversary. They will a celebration kick-off at Bosco Plaza and the Morris Family Multicultural Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 5.
AASU encourages all students to get involved with the organization.
“AASU is not solely for those with Asian and Asian American backgrounds. We strive to educate our members on the Asian American experience, which includes discussion from history to current events,” an AASU representative said.
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AASU said the easiest thing non-Asian and Asian American students can do to strengthen a more diverse community is to attend their events, meetings and socials.
“[AASU] provides the opportunity for students to connect with people that share similar and different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. It allows students to embrace their identities while spreading cultural awareness and education on campus,” AASU’s representative said.
The AASU said their purpose at K-State includes:
- fostering unity and support for all Asian and Asian American students on campus
- providing awareness of Asian cultures to K-State faculty, administrators, students and community
- providing a means by which Asian and Asian American students can become more visible to the K-State community
- creating an atmosphere to promote and teach the equality of diverse people
Among the APIDA events, “Not THAT Rich” author and managing director of Act To Change Belinda Lei will host a workshop addressing AAPI hate crimes and anti-Blackness in the APIDA community at 6 p.m. April 8.
Since AASU is a departmental student organization with Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs, it connects with many other multicultural student organizations on campus, including the Black Student Union, Hispanic American Leadership Organization and Sexuality and Gender Alliance.
“To actively show respected interest in our community provides immense support and strengthens the fact that AASU can be for any student at K-State,” AASU’s representative said.
Students and community members who would like to get involved can find more information on the AASU Instagram page.
