Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Month at USC!
by Kristen Adams ‘25
April is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and to honor and celebrate the many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at USC, here are all the ways you can participate and get involved, including events to go to, communities to support, and books to read!
AAPI Heritage Month Kickoff - April 2 at 12-2 p.m. in Founder’s Park
Hosted by President Carol Folt, the AAPI Heritage Month Kickoff will feature students, faculty and community members in performances, cultural activities, remarks, and free food. You can RSVP to the kickoff here.
The Dhammapada: Exploring the Philosophical Teachings of the Buddha - April 2 at 5-6 p.m. at the University Religious Center
Offered both on Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m. and Tuesday, April 16 at 5 p.m., USC Chaplain Intern Mogallana Sraman will lead a core teaching of the Buddha. Snacks will be provided!
Visualizing Intercultural LA Workshop - April 3 at 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Doheny Library
Led by Beijing artist, Rania Ho, and LA artist/UC Irvine professor, Simon Leung, this workshop will teach students how to create a digital exhibition visualizing immigration stories in LA. USC librarians Tang Li and Suzanne Noruschat and USC curator/professor Jenny Lin will then lead a digital exhibition with materials from Special Collections in the USC Libraries. You are welcome to bring materials that represent your own family or community’s migration stories! You can RSVP to the workshop here.
Another Beautiful Country: Chinese American Artists in Conversation - April 3 at 6 p.m. at the USC Pacific Asia Museum
Join a discussion on Chinese American art, intersectional identities, and stories of transnational migration with Beijing/San Francisco-based artist and art space/cafe/bookshop organized Rania Ho and UC Irvine professor/artist Simon Leung. You can also view the USC Pacific Asia Museum exhibition during extended gallery hours. You can RSVP to the event here.
Film Screening: "The Ito Sisters: An American Story" - April 5 at 3-5 p.m. at the Montgomery Ross Fisher Building
“The Ito Sisters: An American Story” is a documentary about three Japanese American sisters and their immigrant parents who struggled to make a life in the US at the start of the 20th century. Written, directed, and produced by Antonia Grace, the granddaughter of one of the three sisters, the film explores the experiences of Issei (meaning “immigrant”) and Nisei (meaning “first generation born in the US) women. You can watch the trailer of the film here. You can RSVP for the film screening here, and sign up for the USC Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture Newsletter here.
The Great Man of Chivalry: Jin Yong’s Martial Arts Novel - April 8 at 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Doheny Library
For anyone interested in martial arts, kungfu, and wuxia, join this event hosted by Dr. Raymond Tsang to learn more about Cultural China and martial arts films. You can RSVP here.
Anne Friedberg Memorial Lecture - April 10 at 12:30-2 p.m. at the Social Sciences Building
This talk will explore the intersections of cinema and punk culture in 1970s-80s in Japan, particularly “DIY” independent filmmaking (“jishu eiga”).
A Conversation with Muralist Dave Young Kim - April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the USC Pacific Asia Museum
Students are invited to view the USC Pacific Asia Museum’s latest mural, “A Momentous Moment in Time of Passage and Landing” painted by Dave Young Kim. Students will enjoy a reception in the museum’s historical courtyard and a limited edition gift! You can RSVP here.
The Great Wall of Los Angeles: Guided Walking Tour - April 13 at 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Tujunga Flood Control Channel
Artists from the Social and Public Art Resource Center will lead a walking tour of Judy Baca’s half-mile-long collaborative artwork, which is one of the longest murals in the world. Admission is free and open to USC students only, but you must use the provided transportation to participate. Lunch will be provided! You can RSVP here.
Workshop@PAM - April 13 at 12-2 p.m. at the USC Pacific Asia Museum
This hands-on workshop series will explore the art of Ikebana, where you can practice the creation of elegant floral arrangements. All materials will be included for each workshop. The class series (total of 3 classes) costs $360, and each individual class costs $130. If you’re interested in taking a one-time individual class, email ch45852@usc.edu. You can view the class schedule and purchase tickets here.
Science Fiction and East Asia - April 18 at 11 a.m. at Doheny Library
This exhibition of the South Korean SF and Fantasy Collection explores a new historical outline of 60 years of science fiction. Three researchers of Anglophone and Korean science fiction will discuss issues like representation of traditional East Asian religious thoughts in Anglophone and Asian science fiction. Light refreshments will be provided! You can RSVP here.
Japan’s Quiet Leadership - April 18 at 4-5:30 p.m. at Doheny Library
Mireya Solís will discuss her latest book, “Japan’s Quiet Leadership,” which explores Japan’s domestic economic and political evolution. You can RSVP here.
Bruce Hamana & Akiko Walley - Nature and the Aesthetics of Tea - April 24 at 12-1:30 p.m. at Doheny Library
This presentation explores the role of the architecture and the art of tea in mediating memorable encounters between hosts and their guests. You can RSVP here.
Symposium: Translating, Adapting, and Rewriting in Early Modern Japanese Literature - April 24 at 4-5:30 p.m. at Doheny Library
This symposium features Matthew Fraleigh from Brandeis, Satoko Shimazaki from UCLA, and Glynne Walley from the University of Oregon. This talk will explore the significance of swords in medieval samurai epics “Eight Dogs,” a translation of the 19th century Japanese novel. You can RSVP here.
Delta Murphy Lecture: Ed Yong - April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the USC Davidson Conference Center
Ed Yong is the New York Times bestselling author of “An Immense World” and “I Contain Multitudes.” He was awarded the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for his coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. This event will include an audience Q&A, a book signing, and a closing reception. You can learn more about Ed Yong here.
Levan Book Chat - Defining Waka Musically - April 29 at 12-1 p.m. on Zoom
Discussing Christopher Hepburn’s new book, “Defining Waka Musically: Songs of Male Love in Premodern Japan,” this talk explores the interdependent meanings that may exist among the music, image, and the text of the waka. An excerpt of the book will be available to registered attendants. You can register virtually here.
Other Ways to Get Involved:
Visit the USC Pacific Asia Museum
Listen to the AAPI Heritage Month Spotify Playlist, curated by USC students from the Asian Pacific Student Services
Use the USC AAPI Heritage Month digital graphics
Read a book from the AAPI Heritage Month Reading List
Check out the Asian Pacific American Student Services
Join the USC’s AAPI Heritage Month programming committee. Contact Maria Romero-Morales at mromerom@adm.usc.edu
I personally am a part of the Asian Pacific Alumni Association as an APAA Scholar, where I am fortunate enough to be a recipient of a scholarship. Being an APAA Scholar has transformed my USC experience by introducing me to so many people; for instance, I am a part of the “Coliseum Family,” where I regularly meet with other APAA Scholars who consist of graduate students, students of other majors, and APAA Board Members. I enjoy having a support system, and also a variety of different events to volunteer at, such as the USC Asian Pacific Film Festival and the APAA Gala. You don’t have to identify as APAA to join – all are welcome, and it means the world to have found a safe space and a sense of community at a place as large as USC.
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