CFA Recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander Month through May Events

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month (AAPI) and the College of Fine Arts will sponsor two recognition events in conjunction with several sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. This recognition, which takes place annually in May, celebrates the contributions that generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society and culture in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Because of finals and commencement celebrations, many colleges and universities hold events for this heritage month in April. However, due to the anti-Asian racism and violence that has been exacerbated by COVID-19, CFA Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Valeria Martinez wanted to respect the true month designated for AAPI Month.

“It felt important to honor AAPI Heritage Month during its originally intended time,” she said. “It was a hard decision to make because it meant a shorter time frame for recognition because of the university’s regular May events. But we chose for CFA to align with the national heritage month timeline because adjusting or adapting it felt disingenuous to the AAPI community and why May was chosen in the first place — to honor Asian immigrants.”

As a response to the increase of hate speech and violence on the AAPI community, CFA has scheduled two events to offer ways to address Anti-Asian violence and foster community. The first takes place at 4 p.m. Friday, May 7, and is An Affinity Dialogue for the pan-ethnic Asian diaspora facilitated by Melvin Villaver. The second is a Self-Defense Workshop at 11 a.m. Friday, May 14, on the Upper Mall and the CFA Stage. During the course, Sifu Chris Young will facilitate a basic tutorial on martial arts defense tactics and make recommendations for tools people may use to support themselves in moments of crisis.

“Anti-Asian hate has no place in this country and will not be tolerated at the College of Fine Arts,” Martinez said. “No form of discrimination will be accepted here. We are a multicultural community. While there is much work to be done toward our vision of justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, we will continue to make efforts until this vision is actualized.”

CFA and CMU program details are below.

AAPI Affinity Dialogue at CFA

In the last year, anti-Asian hate has been on the rise across the country. Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue, yet anti-Asian racism has been in existence for years. Join CFA for a curated affinity space. This program will give attendees the opportunity to share their experiences, identify historic and recent incidents of anti-Asian racism, and coalesce around potential action steps to prevent and protect oneself from such violence.

Villaver was born April 29 and, as such, was destined to be part of the work toward social justice as his entrance to the world marked the day the Los Angeles uprising began after the acquittal of the officers in the Rodney King Trial — a series of events that disproportionately impacted Koreatown, Calif. Villaver’s research interests are focused on the intersections of music, history, race, politics, (dis)ability and culture. He is an experienced facilitator, lecturer and professor with years of experience working with undergraduate students at colleges and universities across the United States. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. in American Studies from Purdue University, Villaver’s dissertation centers on the Godino twins, conjoined Filipino migrant jazz musicians, who performed in the American vaudeville circuit in the 1920s. He is a graduate of the Performing Arts Academy at Nathaniel Narbonne High School and the University of Southern California (USC). Villaver holds a bachelor's degree in American Studies and Ethnicity with a minor in Music Industry.

(Self) Defense Against Asian-Hate Attacks

Join Sifu Chris Young for an opportunity to explore the history behind martial arts and to learn tactics and strategies in dealing with bias attacks. With an interactive presentation on martial arts and recommendations on tools to use when in distress, this workshop is the perfect way to empower yourself! No equipment or prior experience needed. Masks are required.

Young has been engaged in martial arts or gymnastics for nearly his entire life. He has over 20 years of Chinese martial arts experience in several styles and serves on the board of the International Baiyuan Tongbei Quan Association. While he teaches, Young continues to train and improve his own kung fu and lion dance knowledge, as well, and studies Xing-Yi and Bagua in addition to Baiyuan Tongbei, Ying Jow Keun and Wu Tai Chi. He is a disciple of Master Zhang Yun of the Yin Cheng Gong Fa Kung Fu family, originally of Beijing, and his lion dance mentor is Corey Chan of San Francisco. In addition to Chinese martial arts, Young also studies Capoeira Angola (a Brazilian martial art) with Mestre Joao Grande . Outside of the martial arts, Young was a Commissioner on the PA Governor’s Advisory Commission for Asian American Affairs and the board of the National Association of Asian American Professionals — Pittsburgh Chapter.