Last week marked the beginning of Lunar New Year for many in the community. Traditionally celebrated by various East Asian countries, Lunar New Year is a time of reunion and reflection as family and friends welcome the possibilities the new year may bring. Based on the lunisolar calendar, the celebration begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and lasts for 15 days until the first full moon. The holiday is also a festive time to honor ancestors and celebrate traditions with the next generation.
For all cultures that celebrate it, Lunar New Year has always served as a joyous time to show appreciation for the people most important in life. With the
recent uptick of assaults on Asian American elders across the country, solidarity in addressing these actions is needed more than ever as we continue to advocate for anti-racism. As we come together and process the devastation caused from these hate crimes we invite you to look at the following resources and initiatives:
Be an Activist, Be The Match
We have partnered with Be The Match for a special edition of EmPower Hour. Learn from sociologist and transplant recipient Dr. Alexes Harris, M.A. '99, Ph.D. '02, about how we hold the power to disrupt one of the biggest health disparities in our country today.
Participate
APA UCLA will host part two of its "
Navigating COVID" panel series on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. (PST). Join in and get tips for businesses and individuals from API alumni.
Read
Nguyen Coffee Supply, founded by Sahra Nguyen '09, joins the #EnoughIsEnough initiative promoting positivity, raising awareness about the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and bringing people from all communities together over a meal.
Support
The Asian American Studies Center 2021 Film Festival starts this weekend and will feature Bruin filmmakers, actors, writers and more. See the full lineup and
RSVP for virtual screenings for free here.
As always, we thank you for all your love and support. Feel free to forward this to a friend and visit our social media companion to the Diversity Digest on Instagram at @ucladiversealum. Most importantly, please let us know if there is a topic you are interested in by submitting ideas to diversity@alumni.ucla.edu.