Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month 2002

Events will take place March 21- April 23, 2002.

The month of April is designated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month for the George Mason University community. During this month, we will celebrate the cultural significance of Asian Pacific Americans as well as focus on issues of re-defining the Asian Pacific American identity. Events throughout the month acknowledge contributions and achievements, as well as provide an in-depth exploration of the roles of Asian Pacific Americans in American society.

"Re-definition" is the APA heritage month's theme. The activities of the month will focus on redefining the image of Asian Pacific Americans. Much too often Asian Pacific Americans are associated with various stereotypes such as computer geeks, convenience store workers, martial artists, spies, dog-eaters, and the passive model minority. The month's aim is to go behind the stereotypes, and explore the meaning of the Asian American culture and individuality.

This year's celebration will stand out among all others in pulling the voices of the Asian Pacific American community together to make a strong and forceful statement. This year's activities will include cultural events as well as discussion forums. Kicking of the month is a unique fashion show - "De-Mystifying Asian Pacific American Stereotypes" - that will feature over 20 different Asian Pacific American stereotypes. As part of the month, outstanding Asian Pacific American students will be honored for both academic and other personal achievements during a gala dinner. Join in this year's celebration and you will come away with exciting memories and an in-depth knowledge of the Asian Pacific American culture.

The month's activities will address identity questions. Prominent writer and activist Helen Zia explains in her book Asian American Dreams (2000) that oftentimes our voices as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are ignored and lost in mainstream America. The definition of who we are is often created and imagined by others. To the rest of America, too often, we are defined as mysterious foreigners, spies, great food, dog-eaters, hyper-sexualized women, de-sexualized men, martial artists, computer geeks, convenience store workers, engineers, and the passive model minority. According to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (2001), we are missing in history, despite our 400 year history in the U.S.

APA Heritage Month at Mason will educate and challenge the community to think about what it means to be American, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Asian Pacific American. It will also offer APA students the opportunity to be proud of themselves, and to present themselves as who they really are - complex individual members of the Mason community and larger American society. This is the act of rE-dEfiNitioN.

Join APAC!!

A new student organization, called APAC (Asian Pacific American Coalition) is in the process of being formed. In the future this group will serve as the student voice of the Asian Pacific American population at George Mason University. If you would like to join other students in forming APAC by drafting the constitution, please contact Hadsadong Luangxay.