APIDA Heritage Celebration

Asian - People with ancestral and cultural ties to the continent of Asia; typically attached to a region of the continent for identity specifications (East Asian, West Asian, Southeast Asian, etc.).

Pacific Island - People with ancestral and cultural ties to the Indigenous/Native communities in the nations/territories in Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia (including Natives of Hawaii and Alaska).

Desi - People with specific ancestral and cultural ties to South Asian countries (India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, etc.).

Arab - People with ancestral and cultural ties to the countries that are commonly referred to as the "Middle East" that are geographically located in West Asia and parts of North Africa (WANA).

Technically anyone with community ties to the countries and/or indigenous/nomadic tribes in the Asian continent could call themselves "Asian." However, Western imperialism, perception, and influence transformed the word to first only represent East Asian countries (Korea, China, and Japan) and later to include Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Phillipines, etc.), thus leaving out members who identify with the entire other half of the continent and the island nations in the pacific.

Recently, the term "AAPI" (Asian-American & Pacific Islander) has become a common identifier for the community. Although it includes the pacific island communities/nations, the term continues to lack significant reference to members of the Desi and Arab communities and disregards non-US affiliated community members who are still impacted by similar challenges faced by the entire community.

Any person or group interested in supporting APIDA Heritage Month can send an email to Dani Dho-Roberts in the Student Center for Equity & Inclusion. 

**Preliminary planning for APIDA Heritage Month usually begins in early October.