Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Asian-American Student Union, in cooperation with about 10 other student organizations, is hosting an Asian Pacific Heritage Week of events called “Transitions from Traditions.” The week features events designed to educate, break Asian stereotypes and share different Asian cultures with KU students and Lawrence residents.
Tony Nguyen, Wichita senior and AASU senator, said AASU had hosted a week of events called “Taste of Asia” every year for 16 years. Tony Nguyen said that as more Asian traditions influenced Americans, it was common to see Asian cuisine, art and customs integrated in American culture. He said that was the reason the group decided to focus on Asian culture this year.
The title “Transitions from Traditions” reflects the transitions Asian-Americans have made from the original traditions of their home countries. Tony Nguyen said the AASU wanted to concentrate on getting students interested in learning more about Asian culture on a larger scale.
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The ECM played host to the Asian-American Student Union's Asian cooking class.
“Lawrence has always been a haven full of diversity,” Tony Nguyen said. “Which is an ideal place for AASU and other student groups to reach out and enlighten the community on cultural issues.”
Taking part in the weekly activities, the Spencer Museum of Art will hold an exhibit on different eras of Asian art Thursday. Friday, AASU will hold a dinner banquet with homemade food and donations from various restaurants such as Peking Taste and Thai House.
Chastity Richmond, Iowa graduate student and AASU advisor, said the students organizing and hosting the events prepared many of the meals themselves and tried to show a variety of Asian cultures every year.
“They take a great deal of pride in what they do,” Richmond said.
Samantha Nguyen, Wichita junior and AASU internal president, said the AASU board chose each event to show the interesting traditions of their various cultures.
Shirley Sengmany, Garden City junior, teaches how to prepare mango salad Monday night at the Ecumenical Ministry Center. "Asian Cooking 101" was part of Asian Pacific Heritage Week and events are being held through Saturday night.
“There is a stigma that all Asians are the same, or do the same things,” Samantha Nguyen said. “That is not true. Asia is a continent containing many different ethnic groups and cultures, each varying on their traditions.”
Tony Nguyen said the final event, the “Transitions from Traditions” variety show, will be Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., was the best example of the AASU’s presentation of the diversity of Asian cultures on campus. The variety show includes performances from the Hong Kong & Macau Student Association, Korean Student Association, Japanese Student Association, South Asian Student Association, KU Cultural India Club and other student organizations.
“By committing ourselves to strive for the best method to spread awareness and educate the public,” Tony Nguyen said, “AASU and its supporters can break down misleading and sometimes controversial stereotypes.”
Richmond said the events were usually held between late February and mid-March, but this year the group scheduled the events earlier because of the University’s schedule and basketball games.
Samantha Nguyen said another way this year was different from previous years was the large amount of support and input from other students organizations.
“I really have high hopes for a big turnout. We’ve tried our best to make each event convenient, affordable and enjoyable to all students,” she said. “I love setting up these events to show and break myths about Asian-Americans.”
— — Edited by Jesse Trimble
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