A Call for Action: CT AAPI LEADERS ADDRESS CRITICAL NEEDS IN ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

Photo by: AAPI Westport

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Hartford, CT.- As Connecticut's Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population grows, state legislators are taking bold steps to address the pressing challenges facing these communities. 

A session hosted on Tuesday by the AAPI Legislative Caucus gathered diverse voices from across the state to discuss cultural representation aimed at fostering greater inclusion and understanding for AAPI residents. The session highlighted the multifaceted struggles of the AAPI community, with a focus on education, cultural preservation, mental health, and rising incidents of discrimination. 

Challenges of Educational Representation 

One of the main concerns raised during the meeting was the lack of comprehensive AAPI history and culture in schools. 

High school student Gavia Sethi, shared her experience of feeling isolated in a school system that predominantly covered Asian American oppression without equally emphasizing resistance and resilience.

 “t's crucial to ensure that the information being taught is accurate, as education can prevent racism and bullying in the future by teaching our youth about diverse cultures,” Sethi said. 

She also addressed the harmful effects of the "model minority myth," which paints all AAPI individuals as uniformly successful and high-achieving. 

Hopkins School student Chloe Wang, said it's important to learn about the struggles and oppression the Japanese community faces as an immigrant community, but also balancing that with AAPI resistance presides provides a more enriching and humanizing viewpoint. 

“Only learning about oppression dehumanizes Asian Americans,” Wang said. “Learning about how Asian Americans have resisted oppression in the past can inspire the next generation to not only learn from the past, but also to continue their own work, knowing that they aren't alone.” 

Sethi's pleas for more inclusive and culturally accurate curricula resonated with many attendees, calling for K-12 education to be more representative of AAPI diversity.

 

Cultural Preservation

Linda Chen, another AAPI youth advocate, emphasized the critical issue of cultural preservation, pointing out that many students lack access to resources and education about their own cultures. She stressed that this gap is part of a broader societal challenge where cultural awareness and education are insufficient. 

“ I have noticed a hesitancy for parents to teach their culture to their children, due to fear of discrimination. This means that many students do not have households where they practice these traditions. This is manifested in our systems, where schools do not provide the times to allow students to celebrate their culture,” Chen said. “This issue is important to many AAPI youth, because oftentimes you're unable to connect with others in the community due to this divide between first and second generation immigrants.” 

Microaggressions and Cultural Awareness in Schools 

High school senior Hiteshree Dirisala, founder of the Indian Heritage Awareness Club at South Windsor High School, shared her experiences with micro-aggressions and the challenges of preserving culture within the school system. 

 “The small jokes about what someone's wearing, I'm wearing a bindi right now, so it's just like the small stuff, oh, why is there a weird.on your forehead? it might be unintentional,” Dirisala said. “But it's more of a weirdness. The feeling of, like, being different than everyone. So maybe I should change.” 

She urged for more cultural events and educational initiatives to promote understanding and respect for diverse backgrounds. 

Hiteshri emphasized the importance of celebrating cultural holidays such as Diwali within the school system. 

 “Having a cultural event like a Diwali exhibit helps educate people and shows the significance of the day. It’s about fostering inclusion and respect,” Dirisala said, referencing a Diwali showcase held at her school that highlighted different regional traditions across India. 

Discrimination and Retaliation Against Activism 

Farhan Mermon, executive director at CAIR Connecticut, addressed the troubling rise in retaliation and hostility against AAPI activists, particularly those speaking out on controversial issues. 

Mermon highlighted the recent arrests of students at the University of Connecticut during a peaceful protest against the Gaza conflict. 

He also shared the case of Aisha Abdul Gawad, a teacher and writer who was removed from her position at the Wilton Public Library after expressing dissent over the same issue. Mermon criticized these actions as a direct violation of free speech and constitutional rights, urging legislators to take action against the growing culture of silencing dissent. 

 "This sends a chilling message to young activists, that their voices will be suppressed,” he said. 

 He also pointed out the rise in anti-Muslim bullying and the increasing climate of fear in schools, where children displaying cultural exhibits related to Israel and Palestine were subjected to police intervention. 

“In some schools where children have cultural affairs, parents have gone so far as to call the police when students display exhibits and school projects that represent Israel and Palestine, and these actions are not only harmful to Muslim students, but also foster an environment of fear and marginalization,” Mermon said. “And our children deserve better. They deserve schools where their identities, beliefs and perspectives are respected.” 

State legislators promised to investigate these incidents more closely and strengthen protections for activists and students who exercise their First Amendment rights. 

Healthcare and Elder Care in the Hmong Community

Another speaker, Feng Yang of the Hmong Foundation of Connecticut, spoke to the specific challenges facing Hmong immigrants. Yang discussed the difficulties older Hmong residents face in accessing healthcare, often relying on younger family members to navigate the system due to language barriers and lack of cultural understanding among healthcare providers. 

 "We need more healthcare resources tailored to our elders," Yang said, stressing that support is needed not only for translation but also for navigating Medicaid and finding proper elderly care. 

Yang also highlighted the loss of cultural traditions within the Hmong community, as younger generations grow further disconnected from their heritage. 

"As more of our elders pass away, our language and traditions are fading," he lamented, urging state support for cultural preservation initiatives and community-building efforts. 

Moving Toward Action

The hearing also touched on the need for more resources to support the AAPI community, including bilingual services, mental health, and housing. Legislators were also called to strengthen the enforcement of existing laws to protect students and activists from retaliation or hostility.

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