Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Night Market is back, along with several guest speakers, poetry readings, documentary screenings and a president’s reception — all to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month in April.
This year’s theme, “Resist: Visible and United” will be reflected in a variety of campus events, including:
April 3 — President’s Reception
5:30-7:30 p.m. Fullerton Arboretum, Bacon Pavilion
President Fram Virjee kicks off APIDA Heritage Month with a reception featuring Charlotte Ái Nguyễn, founder and guiding teacher of Get Free! Her talk, “Joy Is Our Resistance: Becoming our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams” will share insights from her journey as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees to becoming a mindfulness educator, professional trainer and facilitator for such organizations as Amnesty International USA, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the D.C. Rape Crisis Center, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
April 9 — Kit Yan’s “Queer Heartache”
6-7 p.m. Titan Student Union Pub
Kit Yan, a New York-based spoken word artist, will perform his “Queer Heartache” piece. Through his theatrical slam poetry, Yan shares stories about family, love, social justice and his experiences as a queer, transgender Asian American.
April 12 — “Being Never Enough: Exploring the Costs of Tiger Parenting”
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Pollak Library, Rotary Club of Fullerton Room 130
erin Khuê Ninh, author of “Ingratitude: The Debt-Bound Daughter in Asian American Literature” and an associate professor in UC Santa Barbara’s Department of Asian American Studies, explores intergenerational conflict in immigrant families and the costs of “tiger parenting.”
April 18 — Third Annual Titan Night Market
5-8 p.m. Quad
Inspired by the famous 626 Night Market and traditional street markets, the Titan Night Market brings the APIDA community together by sharing culturally significant food, performances and activities.
April 30 and May 2 — “Chinese Exclusion Act” Documentary Screenings
Titan Theatre
The documentary examines the origins, history and impact of the 1882 law that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here to become U.S. citizens. Two screenings will be held for students: April 30 from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (screening and discussion) and April 30 at 2 p.m. (screening only). An additional screening for faculty and staff will be held May 2 from noon-1:15 p.m.
Other heritage month events include:
- “Being as a Model Minority” lecture by Emily S. Lee, associate professor of philosophy — April 16, noon-12:50 p.m. Pollak Library, Room 360
- “Dream Riders USA” film screening — April 16, 3-4 p.m., Titan Theatre
- “Not Your Model Minority: The LGBTQ Experience” identity development workshop — April 17, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. University Hall, Room 210B
- “Lifting Together: Poetry and the Rising Imagination” poetry reading by Victoria Chang — April 23, 10-11:15 a.m. Pollak Library, Rotary Club of Fullerton Room 130
- “What Pacific Islanders Want You to Know!” community conversation — April 23, 4-5 p.m. University Hall, Room 210B
CSUF’s celebration of APIDA Heritage Month is coordinated by the Asian Pacific American Resource Center, in partnership with the Department of Asian American Studies, Asian American Pacific Islander Faculty Staff Association, Associated Students Inc. Productions, Association of InterCultural Awareness, Division of Student Affairs, LGBT Queer Resource Center, Multicultural Greek Council and Office of the President.
For a complete list of activities and more information, visit the APARC website or call 657-278-3742.