While the country has been observing National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month over the past four weeks, the University at Buffalo kicked its celebration off in April, hosting a variety of virtual events dedicated to exploring different themes within the AAPI experience before the semester’s end.
These conversations didn’t just begin or end at the university within the month of April, however. Dr. Namsook Kim, professor of educational leadership and policy at the University at Buffalo, spoke about how she has been part of conversations at the institute that have promoted collective commitment and healing, especially amid the rise in violence against Asian Americans over the past year.
“Seeing what was happening in the world, in particular, the rise in hate against Asians and Asian Americans, we committed to meet as affinity groups to reassess our racial identity,” Kim said.
These groups have helped foster meaningful conversations about race, privilege, and social justice within the institute.
