Spring is in the air, and on the Fresno City College’s campus that translates into an annual celebration – Asian American Heritage Month.
This “month,” extending from March 30 to April 28, is marked by cultural dances, exotic foods, academic discussions and showcasing of Asian art and fashion.
The celebration reaches beyond the 3,890 students enrolled at FCC in spring 2012 identifying themselves as Asians or Pacific Islanders. The events hold wide appeal and draw large crowds.
With an estimated 17.6 million Asian Americans in the United States, April and May are highly anticipated and celebrated months in the Asian community. Congress passed a joint resolution to commemorate Asian American Heritage month in 1978.
While the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month technically begins during the first week of May, celebrations start as early as the end of March because of two important anniversaries which occur during this time — the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869.
Fresno City College began the festivities a bit early in an attempt to fit in all the Asian-inspired activities and started the month off with the annual opening day show hosted by Emcee Janice Wong.
“There was an impressive turn-out,” said sophomore Min Lee. “Fresno City [College] does a great job of showing the importance of Asian culture.”
Speakers at the ceremony included Beth Wengerd, instructor of anthropology and campus president Tony Cantu. Following a captivating performance of Lao dancing and a Kung Fu demonstration by Homer Greene, Ilexis Jacoby played violin, and Nileen Clark performed an Indian dance.
The celebrations continued after spring break, with John Cho’s Lion Dance Team performing on APril 9 with the Cambodian Collegiate Association, Shin Fresno Kendo Dojo, Hmong American Student Association, the Chinese Firecracker Wars (skits), Lao Youth of Fresno and John Cho’s Kung Fu.
On April 16, students met with English as Second Language instructor, Sylvie Huncault-Shultze, who shared her travels through Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia. Huncault-Shultze shared the details of her 10-month journey through Asia, including the exotic foods she ate, traditions she learned and the memorable people she met.
The activities and performances continue for the rest of April. These include a discussion of Japanese American internment, moderated by history instructor Paul Gilmore. Sab and Marion Masada, who endured time in internment camp during World War II, will share their story on April 18 at 9 a.m. in FH-103.
On April 20, Janice Wong will host the Asian Language Game Show at 12 p.m. in the Student Lounge. The event will include a fun interactive look at the languages of the Lao, Hmong and Chinese. FCC artist Sansanee Boonyad will showcase 15 of her inventive drawings.
John Cho will moderate a discussion and introspection on April 24 at 2 p.m. in the Student Lounge.
FCC concludes Asian American Month with Asian Fest, a free celebration of the month, featuring food, martial arts and a vendor fair, starting at 9 a.m. on April 28.
