The celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month began Tuesday with an opening ceremony featuring spoken word poet, Jason Chu, a resident of Los Angeles.
Third-year Commerce student Michelle Zeng, organizing co-chair of APAHM, said that Chu’s work goes along well with the Asian Student Union’s theme — ‘illuminate.’
“He talks about being an Asian American and adjusting to society while still maintaining an Asian American identity,” she said.
ASU Secretary third-year College student Gloria Roh said the theme was meant to highlight diversity of activities of Asian American students.
“[The event was chosen] to highlight different types of talents of Asian American students,” Roh said.
Chu began the celebration by performing one of his pieces, which emphasized the need for diverse voices within a greater narrative.
“There is no one Asian American story just like there is no one American story, but with that being said, I tell my Asian American story in the hopes that some little part of what I’ve lived through resonates with you,” Chu said. “What you are going through, what you will go through, what your parents have or what your children will.”
Chu said the Asian American community is constantly being revitalized.
“Our community is not just one face on the walking dead,” Chu said. “Our community is not just the occasional appointment to a presidential council. Our community is alive and around us. Our community is dying and bringing forth new life.”
He closed the performance by noting the past months of controversy the University has experienced concerning ethnicities and minorities. He emphasized to the attendees that as they reflect throughout this heritage month, they must think through what they can for the community.
“What would it mean for you to become a hero? What would it mean for you to do things that aren’t just in self interest?” Chu said. “To choose to give instead of taking, to choose to stand with somebody whose struggle is not your struggle. I think that ultimately that’s what frees us.”
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