Bloomington, Indiana—Indiana University Bloomington’s annual observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) will occur throughout April. Various special events, cultural activities, film screenings, festivals, workshops, student recognition gatherings and panel discussions will celebrate the achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and highlight the issues they face today.
Nationally, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is typically celebrated in May to honor the profound contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The IU Asian Culture Center (ACC), a center reporting to the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, coordinates and co-hosts its campus celebrations and events during April to allow IU and community members to engage in activities before the end of the spring semester.
“Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is more than celebrations. It is an important learning opportunity for all of us to be inspired by the people of AAPI heritage,” says James C. Wimbush, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership. “Participants can look forward to celebrating and having meaningful and critical conversations on the intricacies and nuances of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.”
This year, the AAPIHM theme “Celebrating Intersectional Identities ofthe Asian American and Pacific Islander Community” recognizes that just as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are not monolithic groups, individuals belonging to these communities are unique. The theme further reflects a commitment to amplify AAPI voices by asking such questions as:
- What are the legacies, histories, cultures and other individual characteristics that combine to give meaning to a person’s identity?
- How do these characteristics impact the community as a whole?
- How do we honor these overlapping identities as springboards to forming solidarities with other groups?
Programming and celebrations throughout the month will highlight the diversity within the umbrella of AAPI, focusing on learning and uplifting the stories and celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and their impact on the world.
"AAPI Heritage Month is a reminder of what we as a community and as a country have accomplished together,” says Melanie Castillo-Cullather, director of the Asian Culture Center. “It’s a time to reflect on how far we’ve come along in improving people’s lives and how much work there is to do."
Many celebrations and events are planned for IU Bloomington throughout Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Among them:
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Opening Celebration/Asianfest, March 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington. The Asian Culture Center and the city of Bloomington will kick off 2024 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with arts and crafts for kids, a taste of Asian cuisine, a film screening of the 30-minute documentary “Ten Times Better,” a showcase of cultural performances and a fashion show. The event is free and open to the public.
- Race and Disability: A Virtual Discussion About the Intersection of Identity, March 28, from 2 to 3 p.m., at https://iu.zoom.us/j/85486547667, Meeting ID: 854 8654 7667. A lively discussion will explore how Asian American and Pacific Islander identity and disability interact.
- Uniform Convergence, March 28, at 7 p.m., at Rawles 100. This one-woman play is written and performed by Corrine Yap, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of mathematics at Georgia Tech. After the play, a panel presentation will be held. The play juxtaposes the stories of two women trying to find their place in a white male-dominated academic world.
- First Thursdays Festival, April 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Arts Plaza. The event will feature a reflection wall, AAPI trivia and information on upcoming events during AAPI Heritage Month.
- AAPI Movement Short Film Festival/IU Cinema Creative Collaborations Project, April 11, 7 p.m. at the IU Cinema. Join us for an enlightening night highlighting the intersection and multi-layered identities within and among the Asian community through stories of heartbreak, pain, resilience, and joy. For info on the selected short films.
- National Youth HIV/National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, April 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Asian Culture Center. In partnership with Positive Link, Indiana University aims to raise awareness about HIV and provide all students with access to testing services, information and treatment. All identifying information and testing records are kept strictly confidential.
- Asian Lit/Asian Artist Highlight Reception and Exhibit, April 17, 4 p.m. at McCalla Multipurpose Room, 525 East Ninth Street. Hosted by IU Arts and Humanities Council, this event will feature visual and literary works from community Asian artists on and off campus.
- Meet and Chat with IU Cinema's Jorgensen filmmaker, Christine Choy, April 23 at 4 pm at the Asian Culture Center. Christine Choy’s visit is a collaboration between IU Cinema and the Hamilton Luger School of Global and International Studies.
The Asian Culture Center website has a complete list of 2024 events for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In addition, campus communities have access to a wide variety of digital tools, including Zoom backgrounds, social profile images and Snapchat filters.