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Seton Hall University

AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Continues  

This May, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee offered more than 20 events in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month for faculty, employees, students, and the local community.  

On Thursday, May 20, community members are invited to celebrate AAPI Community, History, and the Journey Ahead with a speakers' panel including Jenny Chung (President, APALA-NJ) and Dr. KC Choi (Professor and Chair, Department of Religion). The moderator is Hester Agudosi, Chief Diversity Officer in the State of New Jersey. 

In response to the increase of hate speech and violence on the AAPI community, the DEI Committee hosted a community healing and reflection event on March 24 and participated in a student-led anti-Asian violence vigil and roundtable discussion on April 9. The DEI Committee will launch its Anti-Asian Racism Training on May 21 at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend. 

On May 21, join the Diversity Film Series, view The Road Home (1999, China), a rich story that blends romance, the importance of family, and the interconnections between the past and the present. 

The DEI Committee partnered with the South Orange Maplewood (SOMA) Cross-Cultural Works for fun and engaging events this weekend, including the Halau Hula Dance Troupe on May 22 and the Holi Festival of Colors on May 23. WSOU (89.5 FM) fans can also hear more about AAPI heritage on the Thank God For Monday (TGFM) show airing on May 22, featuring Dr. Monica Burnette and Dr. KC Choi. 

Ongoing programs include the IHSC AAPI Heritage Month Contest and the University Library's AAPI Heritage Month Book Display. 

The month wraps up with three notable events, including a/an:

AAPI virtual cooking demonstration highlighting Southeast Asian cuisine by renowned San Francisco-based Executive Chef of 1760, Carl Foronda, on Wednesday, May 26. 

Mental Health Story by Active Minds, Inc. member Diana Chao, on Wednesday, May 26. 

Conversation with stand-up comedian, writer, and actress Ali Wong, moderated by her colleague, Sheng Wang, on Thursday, May 27. 

Community members are also invited to celebrate and learn more about AAPI traditions, culture, history and cuisines. Here are some recommendations to try from the AAPI Heritage Month Planning Group! 

Books 

  • The Unknown Errors of Our Lives (Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni)
  • The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (Jamie Ford)
  • Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning (Cathy Hong)
  • The Bridegroom (Ha Jin) 
  • The Leavers (Lisa Ko)
  • Interpreter of Maladies (Jhumpa Lahiri) 
  • Native Speaker (Chang-rae Lee)
  • Pachinko (Min Jin Lee)
  • The Phone Booth at the Edge of the World (Laura Imai Messina)
  • The Sympathizer (Viet Thanh Nguyen)
  • The Opposite of Fate (Amy Tan)

Movies

  • Always Be My Maybe (2019)
  • Asian Americans PBS Documentary (2020)
  • Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
  • Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
  • Hala (2019)
  • Minari (2020)
  • Parasite (2019)
  • Take Out (2004)
  • The Big Sick (2017)
  • The Farewell (2019)
  • The Joy Luck Club (1993)
  • The Last Emperor (1987)
  • The Namesake (2006)

Music

Restaurants 

  • Ani Ramen (Maplewood & Montclair)
  • Bay Leaf (South Orange)
  • Jade Gourmet (Millburn)
  • Mitsuwa Marketplace (Edgewater)
  • Mt. Fuji & Wild Ginger (Maplewood)
  • Qin Dynasty (Parsippany)
  • Tiffin Indian Cuisine (East Hanover)

Please join us as we celebrate AAPI Heritage month and continue to review the AAPI Heritage Month website for event updates and details. 

For more information or to get involved, please contact the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Categories: Arts and Culture, Nation and World

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