Beauty in the Brokenness
There is a beauty in the rich cultures and histories tied to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) diaspora. Across APIDA communities, many values such as hard work, excellence, and collective care are deeply celebrated. Yet beneath these powerful legacies, there can also be threads of fragmentation. For some, this emerges from a history of immigration, intergenerational trauma, or moments of cultural disconnect that can create a sense of feeling “broken,” as if identities or experiences stand apart from one another. These pieces, however, also have the potential to build connection, deepen understanding, and strengthen communities. Much like the Japanese art of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired with gold, APIDA communities have long found ways to reconstruct fractures into sources of strength, solidarity, and meaning. Brokenness is not an endpoint; rather, it can be the beginning of healing.
Whether falling apart or piecing together fragments, the possibility of growth remains. We may change and we may break, but we also hope. From APIDA communities, there is an opportunity to recognize and embrace beauty in imperfection, resilience, and reflection. This year, APIDA Heritage Month invites the campus community to celebrate how identities, stories, and experiences come together to reveal the Beauty in the Brokenness.
For more information, please contact us at apidasc@studentaffairs.wisc.edu.
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Events
No events returned.
APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee
Committee Chair:
Ojaswi Pasachhe
Committee Members:
Andy Trinh
Apala Bhunia
Britney Tang
Ishita Luitel
Jadyn Gibson
Jessie Wang
Joan Camaya
Landis Varughese
Niharika Vuyyuru
Rae Zaid
Sabah Hoq Khondaker
Shelly Chang
Shu Lan Schaut
Sophia Zheng
Tvishi Krishnakumar
Advisor:
Kevin Wong
Thank You!
We would like to extend a special and heartfelt “Thank You” to the members of the APIDA Heritage Month Student Planning Committee for their contribution, dedication, time, and effort.
Make an Impact
The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Student Center (APIDASC) provides opportunities for all UW students to attend social and educational events that highlight the many diverse cultures rooted in Asia and the Pacific. The APIDASC hosts a multitude of events, including book clubs, guest speakers, study breaks, and discussion groups that enhance the student experience, support student success, and foster a sense of belonging at UW-Madison and beyond.
Please consider making a gift to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Student Center Fund. Your support creates spaces, programs, and services that foster belonging and community while strengthening students’ ability to learn, lead, and thrive.
Sponsors
Asian American Studies Program
Dean of Students
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center
Multicultural Student Center
Rebecca M. Blank Center for Campus History
Residence Life
Wisconsin Alumni Association: APIDA Affinity Group
Wisconsin Alumni Association
Wisconsin Union Directorate