What once was Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) week has now become a vibrant, multicultural celebration lasting one month that honors AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) voices.
The month unites people from all walks of life across the Asian diaspora and recognizes the accomplishments and achievements of notable individuals in the AANHPI community.
To celebrate the month, GA’s Asian American Student Association, AASA, has held programming throughout May, including a poetry reading, a break party and a cultural festival to celebrate Asian culture.
This programming is part of AASA’s larger effort to help educate GA’s community about the significance of AANHPI heritage and the place Asian students have within the Upper School, whilst also appreciating and immersing themselves in a culture outside of their own.
“I think we don’t get to speak up a lot throughout the school year because we’re all super busy, and to search for other people’s cultures, and to go out and do something is something you have to take initiative with, right? So, the opportunity to hear Asian voices is bringing that to you so you don’t have to go searching for it,” Anushka Sen ‘28, AASA leader, said.
The lunch/flex celebration gave students time to appreciate and experience foods, games and traditions throughout many different cultures within the AANHPI community. Bringing this event to GA highlighted the increasing need for community bonding across cultures, especially in a small, diverse community like GA.
“I think most of the time a lot of people think that Asians are most of the majority if you consider diversity at GA, but actually a lot of Asian-American families don’t really celebrate events like Lunar New Year or even AANHPI month,” Lauren Kim ‘27, AASA leader, said.
AASA served traditional foods for the Upper School to enjoy on May 18 alongside a wide variety of activities, ranging from a Squid Game simulation, which reenacted the popular Korean show, to ping-pong, to henna.
Students were able to take part in trends and traditions across many different cultures, including a Carrom table (a traditional Indian tabletop game), an origami station and badminton.
“I liked that they included East Asian and South Asian cultures…I thought that it was really cool to do, especially during AAPI month. A lot of Asian American events only happen within the club,” Amara Nadiga ‘29, a member of AASA, said.
Here at GA, AASA held events throughout the month of May, allowing for everyone to experience AANHPI month for themselves. All were welcome to join in on the celebration of Asian voices and experiences.