The office of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affairs celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month (APIDAHM) in the spring semester, specifically in April, however it is nationally recognized in May. This month was designated to commemorate the first Japanese immigration to the United States on May 7th, 1853. It also honors the Chinese immigrants who worked to complete the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month 2021
In efforts to promote visibility of current issues in the Asian Pacific Islander Desi community, the APIDAHM theme for 2021 is the Pilipino concept of Kapwa, the concept and notion of a ‘Shared Humanity‘.
“Kapwa is a recognition of a shared identity, an inner self, shared with others. This Filipino linguistic unity of the self and the other is unique and unlike in most modern languages. Why? Because implied in such inclusiveness is the moral obligation to treat one another as equal fellow human beings. If we can do this – even starting in our own family or our circle of friends – we are on the way to practice peace. We are Kapwa People.” — Professor Virgilio Enriquez, founder of Sikolohiyang Pilipino.
The office of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affairs at the University of Florida observes APIDAHM in April, but is nationally recognized in May. To begin the process of understanding and dismantling our collective struggles and challenges, we can showcase the power of building a community that embraces our shared humanity.
We thank you for your patience as we move our efforts of community building onto an online template and ask your grace through this process. Give us feedback on your heritage month experience here.
2021 The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month Calendar of Events:
As we are in the midst of a global pandemic, issues of racism & xenophobia are rampant. We will take the time throughout April and May 2021 to share our stories of empowerment on our social media platforms, specifically on Instagram @UFAPIDA.
Friday, April 2, 2021
slAAm! (sampling literature by Asian Americans!) Book Club
featuring Saumya Dave
3:30PM EST
slAAm! (sampling literature by Asian Americans!) Book Club features fictional works by Asian American writers and artists. Spring 2021 we will be reading Saumya Dave’s, “well-behaved indian women.” Told from three point of views, this debut novel explores the relationships and differences between three generations. It focuses on arranged marriages, the societal and familial expectations upon Indian women, and the resulting sacrifices they make. It also depicts many of the struggles faced by South Asian immigrants and their children in discovering their own individuality and purpose.
Our final slAAm! Book Club meeting will feature a talk and Q&A with Saumya Dave.
Zoom: Registration
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Women’s Empower Hour
Violence Against Womxn
12:00PM EST
According to UNWomen, “1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence”. During this Women’s Empower Hour, we will take time to unpack the societal and institutional reasons that effect or perpetuate violence against Womxn.
Zoom: Registration
Monday, April 12, 2021
Project Mottainai
Environmental Racism
3:00PM EST
“Mottainai” is a Japanese word roughly translated to mean “what a waste.” We hold immense power over the environments we live in, and each of us has a responsibility to take care of this planet. Project Mottainai is an initiative under Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affairs at UF to encourage environmental consciousness among UF students.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Chai Chats
Asian Voter Turnout 2020 Elections
3:30PM EST
Chai Chats is an open space for students to engage in dialogue around current and contemporary social, political, and economical issues affecting the Asian and Asian American community. This event engages students in conversation ranging from topics that are light and fun to issues that are more thought-provoking.
Based on guiding questions, students can sit down and compare experiences and personal stories regarding this past 2020 presidential elections, what it meant to vote as an Asian American, and the overwhelming turnout from the community to raise a voice and to be heard.
Zoom: Registration
*Participants are invited and encouraged to visit our office located in the Reitz Union – 2nd Level – MCDA Suite #2203 to pick up individual packages of loose leaf chai to brew in your private space. Our loose leaf chai is from The ChaiBox.
Friday, April 16, 2021
352: Asian Businesses, Too!
Part 1 – Virtual Business Owner Panel
12:00PM-1:00PM EST
352: Asian Businesses, Too! is an initiative from the office of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affairs to feature and highlight Gainesville Asian owned businesses through a virtual conversation and a socially distanced business tour. In order to build an ongoing relationship with locally owned businesses and our campus, we will host 3 panels and 3 tours with of 4 different business per session. Our goal is to highlight the vibrant history and innovative entrepreneurship our community boasts.
Zoom: Registration
Saturday, April 17, 2021
352: Asian Businesses, Too!
Part 2 – In-person Tour
12:00PM-2:00PM EST | In-person
352:Asian Businesses, Too! Is an initiative from the office of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affairs to feature and highlight Gainesville Asian owned businesses through a virtual conversation and a socially distanced business tour. In order to build an ongoing relationship with locally owned businesses and our campus, we will host 3 panels and 3 tours with of 4 different business per session. Our goal is to highlight the vibrant history and innovative entrepreneurship our community boasts.
Participation: Registration
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Wellness Matters Series
Familial Expectations and Pressures
3:30PM EST
Most everyone has experienced pressure from family members to obtain a milestone by a certain age. Indeed, at 29 percent, Gen Xers felt the responsibilities of holding down a job more than millennials (25 percent) or baby boomers (21 percent). This presentation will be a space to reflect and discuss the potential ways to recognize and address familial expectations/pressures in healthier ways. This event is held in collaboration with UF Counseling & Wellness Center.
Zoom: CWC Website
Friday, May 7, 2020
Asian Excellence Graduation Ceremony & Huy D. Huynh Hall of Fame
The Asian Excellence Graduation Ceremony will NOT be hosted in person this year due to ongoing safety concerns. We would like to honor the graduating class in reaching a major milestone here at UF. Once application closes, we will be acknowledging Class of 2021 and future classes through our virtual platforms by creating a separate webpage to honor each graduating student and on our social media.
The deadline to register as a graduating student is Monday, April 26, 2021 11:59 PM EST: linktr.ee/apida
The Huy D. Huynh Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding leaders who have devoted themselves to representing and advancing the APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) community at the University of Florida and beyond. The hall of fame highlights the recipient’s legacies at the University from their contributions of positive change across our campus to their personal growth and development.
Nominations are due by Monday, April 26, 2021 11:59 PM EST: linktr.ee/apida
IN COLLABORATION WITH
UF Alumni Association; Asian American Student Union; Association of Asian Alumni; Volunteers for International Student Affairs.
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month 2020
In efforts to promote visibility of current issues in the Asian Pacific Islander Desi community, the APIDAHM theme for 2020 is the Indonesian concept of Mudik, where people return to their hometown during or before major holidays, specifically for Lebaran. As a Gator Nation, no matter where you go, we hope and believe that you call the University of Florida home and will join us again in your life’s journey.
The Asian Pacific Islander Desi Affairs at the University of Florida observes APIDAHM in April, but is nationally recognized in May. To begin the process of understanding and dismantling our collective struggles and challenges, we can showcase the power of building a community that embraces inexplicable connections.
We thank you for your patience as we move our efforts of community building onto an online template and ask your grace through this process. Give us feedback on your heritage month experience here.
COLLABORATED WITH
UF Alumni Association; UF David and Wanda Brown Center for Leadership and Service, Asian American Student Union; Association of Asian Alumni; Hispanic-Latinx Affairs; Volunteers for International Student Affairs.
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month 2019
In efforts to promote visibility of current issues in the Asian Pacific Islander Desi community, the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month (APIDAHM) theme for 2019 is, Raabta, the Urdu word meaning connection to another soul, often one that is inexplicable in nature. Raabta is coming together through differences to reach mutual understandings. It is a source of power to overcome shared struggles that confront us as a community, rather than letting collective challenges break our bonds.
The Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Affairs at the University of Florida observes APIDAHM in April, but is nationally recognized in Mayy. To begin the process of understanding and dismantling our collective struggles and challenges, we can showcase the power of building a community that embraces inexplicable connections.
SPONSORED BY
Center for Latin American Studies; Center for Gender, Sexualities, and Women’s Studies Research; UF Alumni Association; UF Student Government – LGBTQ Affairs Cabinet; Asian American Studies; Asian American Student Union; Association of Asian Alumni; Black Student Union; Bangladeshi Students’ Association; Hispanic-Latinx Affairs; Gators Against Human Trafficking; Reitz Programming Board; Vietnamese Student Association; Volunteers for International Student Affairs; Women’s Student Association.
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month 2018
In efforts to promote visibility of current issues in the Asian Pacific Islander Desi community, the APIDAHM theme for 2018 is the Japanese concept of Ikigai, meaning “a reason for being” or “a reason to live”. We want to highlight and share the personal narratives of students, staff, and faculty by reflecting on Ikigai. We ask you to reflect, what is your ikigai? – what is your reason for being?
SPONSORED BY
Center for Latin American Studies, Asian American Student Union, Black Affairs, Hispanic-Latino Affairs, Filipino Student Association, LGBTQ Affairs, and Vietnamese Student Organization
APAHM 2015
