Westfield State’s Asian Pacific Islander Student Union Opens Conversation on the Challenges Immigrants and their Families Face

On Monday, April 10, 2023 Dr. Brian Chen, Associate Professor in the Department of English, and a representative body of students gathered to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) month by engaging in conversation surrounding the histories of shared Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. The group shared their unique experiences as first and second-generation children of immigrants in an effort to promote awareness of these stories so that allies to the community can “recognize their existences and understand their spirits.”

“This is a really important event,” Dr. Brian Chen began, addressing the students at his sides. “People can be better educated … so that refugees are no longer [a] taboo people.”

Audience members learned about a number of topics, including motivations for migrating and the subsequent journey afterwards or what a family’s hope or dream might look like in America versus the reality experienced. The discussion was followed by a thoughtful round of suggestions and advice given by the students advocating for a more understanding and secure atmosphere here in our campus community and beyond.

Because peoples of AAPI descent often face challenges and socio-economic struggles particular to their cultures, the event was a pivotal meeting ground where individually challenges could be acknowledged collectively and support networks fostered among the AAPI-students on campus.

The meeting was hosted on Zoom for those who could not attend in person. A brief Q&A session was also held before the conclusion of the event, and online attendees were able to add to the discussions taking place.

Photo credits: Riley Cosby