The celebr-Asian begins in April

Though it is one month away, Baruch students have come together to help kick off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. A commemoration that began in 1978, APA Heritage Month was originally celebrated during the first 10 days in May.

The month of May marks several important moments in Asian history, according to asian-nation.org, such as 1843, when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush declared the entire month of May as APA Heritage Month.

Celebrated to honor the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States, Baruch College has already begun promoting with a slew of Asian cultural events. Zhiheng Ke, president of United Chinese Language Association at Baruch, feels that it is imperative to recognize different countries and their cultures so the Baruch community can better learn and know more about one other.

UCLA, which "aims to promote the history and development of the Chinese language and to make Chinese and non-Chinese alike aware of the origins of various dialects," is looking forward to the upcoming events to honor APA Heritage Month.

"Some people don't have an interest in the Asian culture, so we just try to do our best to promote and do our best to make people come to our events," said Ke.

One such event, scheduled for this Tuesday, April 15 from 12:25 to 2:25 p.m. in NVC 3-215, will feature pieces of Chinese culture.

UCLA has hired two professionals to introduce those who attend to calligraphy and Chinese music.

In keeping with the Asian heritage theme, the Baruch Asian Student Union will be presenting the "Asian Persuasion Cultural Variety Show," which is scheduled for this Friday, April 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. in Mason Hall at 17 Lexington Avenue. Rezwana Hoque, a member of BASU, noted the success of selling tickets for the event and that it is likely that it will sell out by Wednesday.

Last year's performance was a hit, selling 600 tickets. The crowd was delighted by the Notorious MSG, "the original Chinatown bad boys," as they performed.

This year will include belly dancing, cultural dances, singing and rapping and a variety show event to be hosted by Hot 97's Miss Info. However, the purpose for this event will not go unnoticed.

"Thirty three percent of our school is Asian and this show is to show the culture and diversity that we have in Baruch," explained Hoque. "It's not just China or Japan. It's also Bangladesh, India and the Philippines. We encompass everything."

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