Throughout April, UW–Madison students have been celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. Just as ingredients come together to create unique recipes, each individual within the UW APIDA community blends different identities to enrich a collective experience.
This year’s theme, “Ingredients, Identities, and Intersectionality,” puts a unique focus on the power of food by ingraining different tastes and cultures into the landscape of shared lived experiences; “memories of aromatic steam floating against our faces, numerous dishes surrounding the table, and pots clicking around the hot stove.”
Hoping to build upon this developing, yet nostalgic experience in the intersecting APIDA communities, the APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee (advised by the APIDA Student Center and led by Committee Chair Elaine Pajanustan) invites students to reflect on and explore the powerful connection between food and sense of self during this year’s heritage month.
Elaine initially began her involvement on the committee after being invited by the past co-chair. “I was on the community and networking subcommittee at first, and I felt such a strong sense of belonging, ultimately leading to my pursuit for the position of committee chair.”
Committee member Aleeya Sengdao explains that when she first came to UW-Madison, it was hard to know about ways to find community and get involved on campus. After finding her home within the APIDA community, she stated, “I think it’s all about being open and just wanting to learn more– the APIDA Student Center is such a welcoming community, and truly students of all backgrounds are encouraged at the events.”
Now serving as a planning committee member on the arts and publications subcommittee, Aleeya has the opportunity to creatively empower and amplify the voices of APIDA students through their art. The arts and publications subcommittee published the fourth edition of its magazine for this year’s APIDA Heritage Month.
Earlier this month, APIDA Heritage Festival was an opportunity to enjoy food, create art projects, and practice calligraphy, among other activities.
Additonally, keynote speaker, Priya Krisha’s, hosted “Conversations and Cooking” on April 22 and on April 26, at the the fifth-annual APIDA x Asian American Student Union Gala event . Campus is invited to join the fifth annual event, a formal banquet that celebrates APIDA Heritage Month with performances, a keynote speaker, an awards ceremony, and an open dance floor.
“I think being a part of the APIDA Student Center here at UW has made my Madison experience indefinitely better,” stated Committee Chair Elaine. “I found a community, filled with people that support me and can relate to my experiences. This is something I’ll hold with me for a long time, even far after I graduate.”
This April, the APIDAHM planning committee asks students to consider how each culture builds on food throughout interwoven histories. People and cultures across the APIDA Diaspora can find many commonalities in their respective cuisines, but, there is always something truly one-of-a-kind to each.
“In Asian culture, when we cook for someone it stems from the love we have for them,” stated Aleeya. “In fact, it’s considered an honor to have someone prepare or cook a nice meal for you.”
“For me, just being with one another, holding each other in celebration, is all I can ask for when it comes to my goals for this month. I really feel so proud to be a part of this organization,” said Elaine.
Join the APIDAHM throughout April, and check out https://msc.wisc.edu/identity-centers/apidasc/ for more information on the APIDA Student Center. For details and event information, follow UWAPIDASC on Instagram.