Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
May is National Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
2024 Events
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Desi, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; but we would like to create spaces to celebrate and learn before the semester ends. Below you’ll find information about upcoming on-campus and surrounding community events in recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Desi, and Pacific Islander Heritage.
Wednesday, April 10 | noon to 2 p.m.
Join OMSE for a poetry workshop event aimed at celebrating the work of Asian and Pacific Islander-writers and creatives. There will be opportunity to share as well as opportunity to write and learn new tips for enhancing your poetry. The event is on April 10th from 12pm-2pm on the 7th floor of the student center in room 775.
The 2024 festival is featuring a free screening series spotlighting Asian American stories curated by Michigan filmmaker Razi Jafri. In its second year, the series is in partnership with American Citizens for Justice, Rising Voices, the Ford Foundation, and the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. For tickets or more information visit their website.
Diversify your Classes
Check out this link for a listing of Asian Studies courses you might want to talk with your advisor about adding to your Fall 2024 schedule! Please note that not all classes may be offered.
2022 Events
Tuesday, May 10th | 4-5p.m.
Do you know how K-Pop got its start? This deep-diving, free-wheeling documentary takes a look at how South Korea went from a dictatorship to a democracy and spawned a new musical movement as youth culture took off. With appearances from Super Junior, EXO, 2NE1, Wonder Girls, 1TYM, CLON, Solid, and Dynamic Duo. Join OMSE for a virtual film screening and discussion.
Wednesday, May 25th | noon EST
Featuring: Tianming Liu, M.S., Ph.D.
Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Computer Science and Bioimaging Research Center University of Georgia
For questions, contact Wanqing Liu, Ph.D. (wliu@wayne.edu)
Wednesday, May 25th | 4-5p.m. EST
Learn why and what can be done to address cancer disparities. Dr. Gomez, Dr. Spadafora and Dr. Wu will share data and provide context as to how the history of Asians in America, westernization, cultural factors, structural barriers and lack of awareness contribute to cancer disparities among the AAPI population in the US and in Michigan. This session is open to students, faculty, and staff.
Session Speakers:
- Scarlett Lin Gomez, MPH, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco
- Tsu-Yin Wu, Ph.D. Professor and Ph.D. Program Director, School of Nursing, Eastern Michigan University
- Lauren Spadafora, Ph.D. Cancer Epidemiologist, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
The session is presented by University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and Karmanos Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement. Please direct questions about this event to johnsk@karmanos.org.
2021 Events
Thursday, May 6th | noon -1p.m.
Asian American organizers and influencers have been trying to sound the alarm over a dramatic spike in reports of anti-Asian racism over the last year, and have been frustrated by the lack of media and public attention paid to their worries. Then came last week, when a deadly shooting spree in Georgia realized many of their worst fears and thrust the issue into the national spotlight. Podcast has some profanity and descriptions of racialized violence. Listen to the podcast in advance here.
Friday, May 7th | 1-2p.m.
Panelists include:
- Padmaja Rao, Associate Director for Career Services
- Praveen Loganathan, Junior/Senior Coordinator, Warrior Vision Impact Program (VIP)
- Namera Ramesha, Senior, Nutrition and Food Science
Wednesday, May 12th | 1-2p.m.
Join us as we discuss the concept of the model minority. We will explore its meaning, origin, and harmful nature.
Tuesday, May 18th | 1-2p.m.
Join us for a discussion on art and ability. We will be looking at Christine Sun Kim's art and learning about her story as an artist who is Deaf.
Wednesday, May 19th | 1:30-2:30p.m.
Come learn about the beautiful, very often, under-studied, linguistic features of different Asian languages.
Facilitated by: Dr. Haiyong Liu, Professor of Chinese Linguistics | Dr. Martha Ratcliff, Emeritus Professor | Jeff Dempsey, Graduate Student
Friday, May 21st | 1-2 p.m.
Join us for a conversation and Q&A with Chinese and Chinese American faculty and staff.
Tuesday, May 25th | noon 1 p.m.
Led by Saihja Deol & Jasnoor Kaur
The South Asian Psychology Student Organization (SAPSO) seeks to promote mental health awareness through education, advocacy, and conversation among its members and the community. SAPSO is committed to fighting mental health stigma as it relates to the South Asian community. SAPSO provides students with informational seminars as well as community outreach and networking opportunities in order to work towards creating a stigma-free campus and community.
Tuesday, May 25th | 1-2pm
Join us as we learn about and discuss the origins of the Tokyo Pride celebration and movement.
Wednesday, May 26th | noon 1p.m.
Interested in learning the history and present-day experiences of Asian Americans and Asian migrants in the United States? Want to gain a deeper understand of the broad, structural conditions that have shaped and continue to shape Asian American lives, and how Asian Americans negotiate and resist them? Register for TED 5350: Introduction to Asian American Studies! This course is open to ALL undergraduatesfrom freshman to senior! Learn more about the course from the instructor, Dr. Roland Coloma, at the information session on Wednesday, May 26th from 12 1 P.M. This event is open to the entire campus community.
Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Grace Lee Boggs
Grace Lee Boggs was a first-generation Asian American writer, philosopher, mentor, and an outspoken activist for many causes, including civil rights, workers' rights, Black Power, environmental justice, feminism, and community empowerment. Check out the WSU library guide and learn about her here.
2020 Events
Celebrate virtually with OMSE and the broader community by downloading our 2020 mini-zine (PDF).
