Asian Awareness Month April 30-May 31

OHIO STATE CELEBRATES ASIAN CULTURAL DIVERSITY

COLUMBUS -- The beauty, complexities and uniqueness of Asian 
and Asian-American diversity in culture, language and peoples 
will be explored as The Ohio State University celebrates Asian 
Awareness Month April 30 through May 31.

"The focus of the awareness month is to create more accurate 
portraits of Asians and Asian Americans," said Sheila Kapur, 
director of Asian American Student Services.  "By increasing 
awareness of the diversity of Asian and Asian-American students, 
we hope to combat stereotypes and misconceptions that can create 
barriers between students.  There are over 3,000 international 
Asian students and 2,500 Asian-American students at Ohio State, 
so better awareness can create a more open and receptive 
environment for students of all ethnic backgrounds."

The celebration kicks off with an Asian Food and Cultural 
Fair April 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 
N. High St.  The fair will highlight the diversity of Asian 
cultures with food and entertainment.  A Talent Showcase will 
follow at 7 p.m. in the Ohio Union East Ballroom, providing a 
noncompetitive forum for Asian students to display their talents.

Friday, May 1 at 1 p.m. in the Ohio Union Memorial Room, a 
panel discussion will be held by undergraduate and graduate 
students on the conflicts and experiences of growing up with dual 
heritages.

Other activities include:

-- An Asian Festival combining several Asian groups based 
throughout central Ohio, highlighting their arts, culture and 
food, May 23-24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Franklin Park in the 
International Center, 1777 E. Broad St.

-- "Slaying the Dragon," a film that traces the historical 
and political forces in recent history that have influenced the 
depictions of Asians -- and Asian women in particular -- in 
films, television and popular culture, May 28 at 1:30 p.m. in 
room 300 in the Journalism Building, 242 W. 18th Ave.

-- "The Holocaust Memorial -- A Play About Hiroshima."  Amy 
Taipale directs this staged reading of a play about the dropping 
of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.  The settings of the play 
include Hiroshima and Columbus, hometown of Gen. Paul Tibbets, 
the pilot of the plane that dropped the bomb.  The play begins at 
8 p.m. on May 29 and 30 in Mount Hall Studio Theater, 1050 
Carmack Road.  Admission is $5.50.

-- "China Night," a program that introduces the culture of 
China and includes a concert with folk music, a Chinese movie, 
dance groups and karaoke, May 30 from 8 p.m. to midnight in 
Dreese Lab Auditorium, 2015 Neil Ave.  

All activities are free and open to the public unless 
otherwise noted.  For a complete calendar of events, call Asian 
American Student Services, (614) 292-0625.


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Contact: Sheila Kapur, director of Asian American Student 
Services, (614) 292-0625.