Asian Awareness Month
March is Asian Awareness Month at Wellesley. The month-long program is a celebration of Asian/Asian American cultures. In addition to honoring the achievements of Asian Americans, this series of events strives to explore, educate, and promote awareness of Asian American issues. Asian Awareness Month is organized by a committee of representatives from the Asian student organizations on campus and my office. Generally, the closing event of Asian Awareness Month is the Pan-Asian Cultural Show, which is organized by a separate committee. If you are interested in getting involved with either of these programs, or would like more information, please contact our office.
Asian Awareness Month 2006
March 1, 2006 5PM in LCW 104: Understanding the Intricacies of Multiracial Identities workshop
With the ever-increasing diversity of the global community, more and more individuals are beginning to identify themselves as “multiracial.” In the Wellesley community, many of our members consider themselves biracial or multiracial, but often find themselves in the difficult position of dividing their dual or multiple cultural identities, sometimes going so far as to choose one over the other(s). There is a pressing need to address what it means to be multiracial, and understanding the issues of identifying as someone with multiple cultural heritages. This workshop by Dr. Karen Suyemoto (geared toward both students who identify as multiracial and those who do not) strives to create the basis for such an understanding. Dr. Suyemoto is an Assistant Professor in Psychology and Asian American Studies at UMass Boston specializing in multiracial identity.
March 3, 2006 7:30PM in Jewett Auditorium: Laughs with Russell Peters
Russell Peters, award-winning stand-up comedian. His ability to draw from his South Asian roots and make witty observations about race and culture (not just his own) has made him popular across the globe. Regardless of his audience’s ethnic background, he consistently gets laughs for his amazingly accurate and hilarious observations. With more than ten years in comedy, he has a unique ability to find new humor in race, avoiding the repetitive routines of other comics of color in the industry.
March 8, 2006 6:30PM in Freeman Living Room: “What’s on her Mind?” Panel on Mental Health Concerns
Mental health is an issue which is often overlooked in the Asian
community. “What’s on Her Mind” will provide a supportive
space in which students can share their experiences and struggles
regarding mental health concerns and to ask questions. The panel will also
introduce resources available for students at Wellesley.
March 10, 2006 6:30PM in Harambee House: Minority Voices in Politics:
Asian American Politicians Panel
Sam Yoon ((D) Boston City Councilor), Nikki Randhawa Haley ((R)
South Carolina House of Reps.), and Wilma Chan (California Assemblywoman);
This panel brings together a group of Asian American politicians
from all levels of government, different cultural backgrounds,
generations, locales, and political perspectives. We hope to
demonstrate that while often viewed as apathetic, Asian Americans
are becoming more and more politically involved, and are not
all the same, and can have very different political stances.
The participants of this panel will discuss their political views,
their thoughts on Asian Americans in politics, and the issues they face as
Asian American politicians.
March 13, 2006 6:30PM in Pomeroy Living Room: Asian Straight Talks
Straight Talks are intended to provide a safe space in which students can speak about their experiences and struggles concerning sexual identity and to ask questions. The Asian Straight Talks in particular will help to address concerns and questions that students have regarding the often conflicting notions of sexual identity and cultural identity.
March 28, 2006 6:30 PM in Pendleton Atrium: “Do You See What I See?” Asian American Body Image Panel
Dr. Lynn Chang and Kim Van Dang will hold a discussion about Asian Americans’ self-perceptions and perceptions in media and everyday situations. They will discuss how beauty ideals have changed over the course of history, and how they stand today in a multiculturally conscientious world. In addition to this basic understanding of “beauty,” panelists will talk about the ramifications of beauty ideals, their psychological impact, and what Asian Americans can do/are doing to either conform or combat these standards of beauty. Dr. Lynn Chang is a career counselor at the University of Texas, Austin. Kim-Van Dang has worked as a beauty director for InStyle magazine, Good Housekeeping, and beauty features editor for Women’s Wear Daily. She recently began her own beauty consulting company, KVDNYC.
March 31, 2006 7PM in Jewett Auditorium: Pan-Asian Cultural Show
Asian Awareness Month 2005
February 16, 2005 1PM in Davis Museum: Opening of “Circles of Healing, Circles of Peace” Sand Mandala
At a time when we are confronted globally with the spectre of violence and terror, join us to honor an expression of peace, compassion, and transformation for all the sentient beings through the creation of a sand mandala of compassion. A mandala is a graphic representation of a celestial palace, adorned with symbols and images that represent the nature of reality and the order of an enlightened mind; it represents an inner wholeness which we all seek to restore. The eight nuns visiting from Nepal, are the among the first Tibetan Buddhist women monastics to learn this sacred art practice which was traditionally reserved for monks only.
March 2, 2005 6:30PM-8:30PM in PNW 212: “Globalization Personalized: Transnational Adoption and Racial Transference”
Professor David Eng will undertake a crucial investigation of the material implications and the political and psychic economy of transnational adoption. The lecture will include a description of the evolving politics of family and kinship relations in the late-twentieth century. It will also examine the historical conditions and contradictions of transnational adoption that make new social formations of family and kinship thinkable.
March 4, 2005 8PM in Schneider Center: “Revolution! Kick Off Concert”
Includes American Idol finalist, Vudoo Soul (Chris Vu from MIT); singer-songwriter-musician Manisha Shahane; comedian and Asian American media pioneer PK; singer-songwriter, Ken Oak; and singer-songwriter-filmmaker, Melissa Li.
March 10, 2005 8PM in Claflin Living Room: Asian Straight Talks
Straight Talks are intended to provide a safe space in which students can speak about their experiences and struggles concerning sexual identity and to ask questions. The Asian Straight Talks in particular will help to address concerns and questions that students have regarding the often conflicting notions of sexual identity and cultural identity.
March 14, 2005 5PM in Pendleton Atrium: Islam and Women lecture
A lecture by feminist Muslim scholar Dr.Riffat Hassan. Dr. Hassan is a pioneer of feminist theology in the context of the Islamic tradition and is the founder of The International Network for the Rights of Female Victims of Violence in Pakistan.
March 16, 2005 5PM-7PM in Freeman Living Room: “What’s on Her Mind?” Mental Health Concerns Panel
Mental health is an issue which is often overlooked in the Asian community. What’s on Her Mind will provide a supportive space in which students can share their experiences and struggles regarding mental health concerns and to ask questions. The panel will also introduce resources available for students at Wellesley.
March 30, 2005 6PM-8PM in Pendleton Atrium: Ikebana Demonstration and Workshop
Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging, is more than putting flowers into a vase – it’s an art steeped in Buddhist tradition, highly evolved aesthetics, and the concept of closeness to nature. Ms. Tanaka will demonstrate seven Ikebana pieces and lead a workshop.
April 1, 2005 7PM in Jewett Auditorium: Pan-Asian Cultural Show
April 2, 2005 6PM in Jewett Auditorium: Opening Ceremony for “Still Present Past, Korean Americans and the Forgotten War” Video, installation and performance art exhibit
Video, installation and performance art by Korean and Korean American artists in conversation with voices of Korean American War survivors. A celebration of artistic expression and a tribute to and exploration of the collective meaning of a tragic conflict still without resolution. Through images, audio clips, and text the exhibition investigates geopolitics, divisions, space, and history in a site of cultural dialogue and community healing.
Asian Awareness Month 2004
February 24, 2004 6PM-9PM in PNW 121: Film Showing: “Becoming American: the Chinese Experience” (Parts I & II)
February 25, 2004 4PM-5:30PM in PNW 212: Film Showing: “Becoming American: the Chinese Experience” (Part III)
February 28, 2004 7:30PM-9PM in Jewett Auditorium: Afro-Asian Dialogue
The Afro-Asian Dialogue opens room for discussion, communication and understanding between two cultural groups. This performance will include an Asian- American artist Fred Ho -- renowned baritone saxophonist and band leader; and an African-American artist Kalamu ya Salaam-- a performance poet and author of seven books of verse.
February 29, 2004 7PM-9PM in Jewett Auditorium: Mango Tribe performance
Mango Tribe, a performance group consisting of 20 Asian/Pacific Islander American women. Their stories provide education about cultural and immigrant histories of survival, resistance, and continual healing through multimedia productions produced, written, and performed by women.
March 3, 2004 12:30PM-1:30PM in PNW 212: Discussion on Asian American Bi-Racial Experience
The Discussion on Bi-Racial Asian American Experience will give students an opportunity to listen to a lecture/panel on the bi-racial experience at Wellesley. Students will also be given the chance to explore bi-racial issues.
March 4, 2004 8PM-10PM in Jewett Auditorium: Karyshma Concert
Karyshma is an alternative rock band that mixes jazz, rock and Indian music. Karyshma’s performance will expose the Wellesley community to a blend of South Asian and American culture, and will talk about the experience of pursuing music from an Asian background. There will be a Q&A session for the audience after the performance.
March 11, 2004 5PM-7PM in Pendleton Atrium: Debra Yang lecture
Being the first Asian American woman in the United States to serve as an U.S. attorney, Attorney Debra Yang is a significant role model for Asian American women interested in law and politics. Her achievement provides a source of inspiration for Wellesley students in career fields that lack Asian American woman representation. The lecture will be on Asian American women in politics and law.
March 12, 2004 7PM-9PM in Jewett Auditorium: Pan-Asian Cultural Show
March 15, 2004 4:30PM-6PM in Jewett Auditorium: Bill Moyers lecture about his documentary: “Becoming American: the Chinese Experience”
Bill Moyers is a renowned and respected journalist and film producer. “Becoming American: The Chinese Experience”, the film on Chinese American struggle will help Wellesley students understand the great odds that certain Asian Americans have overcome to establish themselves in the US.
March 17, 2004 8PM-9PM in Tower Recreational Room: Asian Straight Talks
Straight Talks will provide a safe space in which students can speak about their experiences and struggles concerning sexual identity and to ask questions. The Asian Straight Talks in particular will help to address many concerns and questions that students have regarding the often conflicting notions of sexual identity and cultural identity.
March 31, 2004 5PM-7PM in Billings 200: Conversation on Asian American Experience
For the Conversation on Asian American Experience, Sophia Kim-- a doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, who has taught Asian American Studies, specifically about Asian Women in the United States-- will focus on addressing the issue of Asian American women who experience internalized racism. During the conversation, she and Eun-Joung Lee will facilitate a discussion, which aims to help the participants arrive at an understanding of the racism which exists in society and the different forms through which racism is led to become internalized.