Freshman Hibah Butt said this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is about redefining stereotypes for Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, and recognizing their distinct history.
“We want to make our own story,” said Butt, an undergraduate student assistant for theAsian Culture Center.
Nationally, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is recognized in May, but IU celebrates AAPIHM in April to give students a chance to participate before the spring semester ends.
This year’s theme is “Reframing AAPI Narratives."
Butt said this topic gives AAPI individuals a chance to assert themselves as existing outside the model minority stereotype, showing that not all Asian-Americans work white-collar jobs or are good at math, engineering and medicine.
Keiko McCullough, a graduate assistant for the Asian Culture Center, said having a month to honor AAPI achievements is important because they are often hidden in mainstream culture.
Even public school systems typically underrepresent the experiences of marginalized communities, McCullough said.
“I don’t know if these things would be discussed in media without a celebration month,” McCullough said.
While the ACC puts on events year-round, it sponsors collaborations with other organizations throughout April to increase visibility for AAPI activities.
This year’s events include film screenings, performances, workshops, discussion panels, cooking demonstrations and culture nights.
McCullough and others at the ACC have been preparing to launch an Asian-American radio show on April 10, in collaboration with WFHB Community Radio. The program will air every other Tuesday from 5:30 to 6 p.m.
Butt said interviewing an AAPI activist for the radio show and working on other events to change perceptions about the AAPI community has been an empowering experience.
“I feel like I’m part of something bigger,” Butt said.
As a Pakistani, Butt said people usually don’t believe her when she identifies as Asian-American. Most people view Asian-Americans as East Asian, Butt said, and forget about Indians, Pakistanis and Afghans, among others.
The ACC supported several India Remixed events this semester, Butt said, demonstrating the center’s recognition that not all Asian-Americans are East Asian.
Encouraged by the ACC, Butt said she felt liberated this year when she finally began telling people she is Asian-American.
Despite the plethora of AAPI activities in April, McCullough said the need to have a separate month for AAPI achievements implies the rest of the year is for those of European descent.
McCullough said she thinks there needs to be a societal change to promote more awareness and inclusion of all minorities.
There were 2,467 AAPI undergraduate and 741 postgraduate students enrolled at IU-Bloomington in fall 2017, according to the ACC website.
“In an idealized world, we wouldn’t have months for marginalized groups,” McCullough said. “Every day would be acceptance and celebration of all groups.”
