Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2022

Wednesday April 6, 1:00 p.m. Start at Arch
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) Walks
Join the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance and the Counseling Center for ‘BIPOC Walks’ where we will walk around campus and discuss hot topics. This month, we will be discussing topics within the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Please meet at the Arch at 1pm. For more information, please send an email to rsawyer@ramapo.edu.

Friday, April 8, 6:30 p.m. Friends Hall
Paint n’ Sip Mocktails:
Join the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, the South Asian Club, United Student Association, the International Student Association, Muslim Student Association, NAACH, and the Filipino Student Association as we have a paint night! The event will have a focus on Asian identifying artists across the diaspora. For more information, please send an email to rsawyer@ramapo.edu.

Monday, April 11, 1:00 p.m. Arch (rain location is Alumni Lounges)
Opening Proclamation
Join the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance and the Educational Opportunity Fund for our last Opening Proclamation of the year! We will be proclaiming Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and the first recognition of EOF month, in accordance with the New Jersey legislature’s designation of April as EOF Month! There will be performances, speeches, bubble tea and more!

April 12, 1:00 p.m., Alumni Lounges 
Breaking Down APIDA Identity: A Panel to Discuss APIDA Representation and Experiences 
Join the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Compliance for a panel with Faculty, Staff and Students to explore the history of API population and its representation in the US. We will highlight the importance of API representation and share resources for supporting the API community.

April 20, 1:00 p.m., ASB 522
Whitewashing the Movies: White Subjectivity and Asian Erasure in U.S. Film Culture.
Come stop by to watch hear David Oh give a keynote on Whitewashing the Movies: White Subjectivity and Asian Erasure in U.S. Film Culture. Those who attend will receive a DIY cupcake kit from Crowley’s Bakery! Cosponsored by Naach!

May 4, 3:00 p.m., Mansion/Grove Lawn Rain Location: Dance Studio in Bradley
Yoga on the Yard
Come de-stress with us on the Mansion Lawn with some yoga! The first 50 people to attend will get a FREE swag bag! Cosponsored by Athletics, Counseling and EDIC!

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month-2021

Opening Proclamation

Dear Students, Colleagues, and Friends:

I write to encourage us all to participate in and actively support April as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Ramapo College.

I am pleased and proud to share the following proclamation:

Whereas Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated at Ramapo College of New Jersey in the month of April; and 

Whereas Ramapo College acknowledges the rich heritage and contributions of Asian Americans, South Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and honors the history, culture and continuous contributions they have made within our history and culture in the United States; and  

Whereas Ramapo College continues to strive in creating a more diverse and culturally enriched campus and celebrate those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent represented within our student body and our faculty and staff; and

Whereas the theme for this year’s observance is “Unity-Condemning Bias & Hate”, emphasizing community, unity and the celebration of all individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, I, Peter P. Mercer, President of Ramapo College of New Jersey, hereby proclaim April 2021 as Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Ramapo College. We invite all members of the College to proudly join in the celebration of Asian and Pacific Islanders and people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and honor their rich culture, heritage, and accomplishments.

In the spirit of “Unity- Condemning Bias and Hate”, we all have an obligation as members of this College to uphold the values that connect us: to actively engage inside and outside of the classroom, to develop the whole person, and to respect each other and our environment.

• Racism and Violence Against Asian Americans with Professor Rebecca Leung and Active Minds: 4/14 1-2 pm (links on Archway)
• Colorism and Anti-blackness in the Asian Community with SOCA and Lambda Tau Omega: 4/21 8pm (links on Archway)

I reiterate what I shared with many of you one year ago–that it is essential that our College demonstrate zero tolerance for discriminatory language when defining this pandemic, as such language has led to an alarming increase in acts of violence and hate towards Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and such behavior must be condemned. I also echo the words of Nicole Morgan Agard, Chief Equity and Diversity Officer, who implores us all to reach out and offer support to the members of our Asian American and Pacific Islander community; to  speak up and speak out against violent, biased and racist acts towards others.

Please continue to take good care of yourselves and one another.

Peter P. Mercer

See President’s Post #203: April is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

EVENTS

Wednesday, April 7th, 1pm

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ & FACULTY’S EXPERIENCES STUDYING & TEACHING IN THE US
On Wednesday, April 7, for AAPI Month, the United Asian Association will be having a panel with international students and faculty from Asia who will be sharing their experiences living abroad and studying and teaching in the US. All are welcome to join to learn and ask questions about the panelists’ experiences. If you have any questions, please reach out to us by emailing UAA at uaa@ramapo.edu.
Location: WebEx Link

Wednesday, April 7th, 8pm

DEMOCRACY MOVEMENTS IN ASIA
On Wednesday, April 7, in recognition of AAPI Month, the United Asian Association will be having an event discussing current democracy movements happening in Asia. All are welcome to join and learn more about these movements and their importance. If you have any questions, please reach out to us by emailing UAA at uaa@ramapo.edu.
Location: WebEx Link

Wednesday, April 14th, 1pm

Racism and Violence Against Asian Americans with Professor Leung and Active Minds. To continue our AAPI series, UAA will be a having an event discussing racism and violence against Asian Americans. All are welcome to join us in learning about these issues and spread awareness. If you have any questions, please reach out to us by emailing UAA at uaa@ramapo.edu.
Location: Archway Link

Wednesday, April 21st, 8pm

Colorism and Anti-blackness in the Asian Community with SOCA and Lambda Tau Omega. Join UAA, FASA, and SOCA in a discussion about color-ism and anti-blackness in Asian Communities and what we can do about it. If you have any questions, please reach out to us by emailing UAA at uaa@ramapo.edu.
Location: Archway Link

Thursday, April 22nd, 1pm

A Catalyst for Hope: with Caroline Nguyen Ticarro. The Catalyst Foundation is focused on helping build communities to fight human trafficking. The holistic community development programs center around the child, and the belief that no child is disposable. This hour will be a reflection on the different roles played as a child of war, an immigrant, a daughter, a wife and an ex-wife, a mother, a friend, and a boss. Her story is about mistakes, fears, insecurity, and trying to “fit in” while thinking that you don’t belong. It’s a journey of discovery, and a celebration of finding oneself and what makes one happy, of true friendships and being grateful.
Location: GoogleMeet Link

SMITHSONIAN ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN CENTER

The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center tells Asian Pacific American stories through innovative museum experiences. Click here to join the experience.

BOOKS / NOVELS

Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Hong. In this novel, award-winning poet and essayist Cathy Hong shares an emotional exploration of what it means to be Asian American.

Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong. In this book, the author writes a heartfelt memoir to her two daughters.

Two Trees Make a Forest: In Search of My Family’s Past Among Taiwan’s Mountains and Coasts by Jessica J. Lee. In this memoir, author Jessica J. Lee shares her personal story of discovering letters written by her immigrant grandfather and how these letters lead her to visit her ancestral homeland of Taiwan.

TED TALKS

Teach Girls Bravery, Not Perfection – Reshma Saujani

We Need to Talk…Anti-Asian Violence and Racism

Tackling Tomorrow Together in the AAPI Community

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Compliance (EDIC) is pleased to continue its tradition of recognizing April 2020 as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in which we acknowledge and honor the history, heritage and contributions of Asian Americans, South Asians, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

We are also pleased to share this video compilation, comprised of messages from some of our Ramapo students, faculty and staff!