Campus features events for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Lectures, a volleyball tournament and a “Mr. & Miss Asia” competition are just a few events that are occurring on campus this month as IU begins to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. \nThe month is usually celebrated in May, according to the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Association Web site. But because most students are not on campus during May, IU celebrates the month earlier in the year, said junior and Asian Student Union member Brandon Tran. \n“We would like to honor and remember the accomplishments and contributions of Asian Americans in this country,” said Melanie Castillo-Cullather, director of the Asian Culture Center.\nLast Friday’s Taste of Asia kicked off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Cullather said. \nStill, there are more events that are celebrating the month.\nAuthor Cathy Bao Bean will talk about “Living and Laughing By the Chopsticks-Fork Principle: A Course In Diversity,” in her speech at 5 p.m. tomorrow in the Ernie Pyle Auditorium. \nCullather said Bean, who wrote a book titled “The Chopsticks-Fork Principle: A Memoir and Manual,” has spoken on various college campuses. Cullather said she is excited to see what Bean has to teach IU students.\nThe IU Asian Alumni Association is hosting its first volleyball tournament at 9 a.m. Sunday in the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. \nJessica Kim, president of the IU Asian Alumni Association, said all the profits of the event will go toward the scholarship the organization is trying to start. \nThe tournament will set the standard for volleyball tournaments in years to come, Kim said. \nEveryone is welcome to attend the free event, Kim said. She said that if a team would like to participate in the tournament, they have to pay a $100 fee. \nAnother event that is occurring in conjunction with Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is “Mr. & Miss Asia.” \nThe competition will include representatives from various organizations competing for the title of Mr. & Miss Asia, Tran said.\nThe Asian Student Union wants people to learn about Asian cultures – especially about the smaller Asian countries that can get overlooked, he said. \n“(We) want to celebrate accomplishments of Asians of the U.S. and abroad,” he said.\n“Mr. & Miss Asia” will occur at 6 p.m. April 13 in the IU \nAuditorium. \nOther events around campus that are part of the celebration include “Korean Night,” “Thai Night” and an Asian Knowledge Bowl Competition.\nKim said it is important for people to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to get a better understanding of themselves.\n“I think it’s important to celebrate our own cultures and how it intertwines with any country that we have assimilated into,” Kim said. “I think it’s important to remember where we come from so we can have a better future.”