Cal Poly MultiCultural Center Celebrates Asian Pacific Islander American Month

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly’s MultiCultural Center and Student Life and Leadership present the following events in celebration of Asian Pacific Islander American Month in May:

Another Type of Groove featuring Mark Fabionar – Wednesday, May 5, 7:30 -10 p.m. at the PAC Pavilion
Another Type of Groove (ATOG) presents the founder of ATOG, spoken-word poet Mark Fabionar. Fabionar is a former member of the Sacramento Poetry Slam Team and the founder of “The Inflection Point Project.” He has a released book and CD titled “Back Home: A Clean Purple Haze and Radical Spaces of Possibility.”

16th Annual Lantern Festival hosted by Chi Delta Theta and Omega Xi Delta – Saturday, May 8, 3-7 p.m. at the University Union Plaza
This annual event highlights cultural awareness by bringing cultural Greeks, student clubs and the San Luis Obispo community together for an afternoon of performances, food, and fun. This event is free for everyone.

Comedian: Ed Cho – Thursday, May 13, 6-8 p.m. at the University Union 220
Cho’s uniquely honest, no-holds-barred style of humor is quickly winning over audiences across the country. The East Coast comic displays a friendly face and a polite demeanor, while on the inside lies an aggravated, to-the-point comic dealing with dating nightmares, ruthless friends, an overbearing family, and, of course, growing up Asian.

Soup and Substance: Asians in Hip Hop Culture – Tuesday, May 18, 11 a.m.-noon at the University Union 207 (Left wing of the Chumash)
Discuss the rise of hip hop Asian dancers and learn about the effects of hip hop culture on Asian culture. Speakers will include students from the clubs of EPIC and Pilipino Cultural Exchange.

Speaker: Juliet Betita – Wednesday, May 19, 7-9 p.m. at the University Union 221 (Bishop’s Lounge)
Juliet Betita presents her story of growing up as Filipina in the U.S. by connecting and contrasting to her father's story as it touches on issues of racial identity, racism and immigration.

Film Screening: “Death of a Shaman” – Monday, May 24, 7-9 p.m. at the University Union 221 (Bishop’s Lounge)
War, immigration and discrimination: a common struggle that has affected many of the Asian Americans who identify as Mien. Find out about who Mien people are in this film that documents the life of a young Mien woman from Sacramento who undertakes an emotional and moving personal journey that reflects the social and economic issues that are similar to the many Mien families who had immigrated to America. Snacks will be provided.

Discussion: Asians and Mental Health – Wednesday, May 26, 6:30-8 p.m. at the University Union 220
This discussion focuses on the issues of mental health among Asian Americans. Our speakers, Professor Grace Yeh of the Ethnic Studies Department and Dr. Herlina Pranata of Counseling Services, will be presenting the idea of the "Model Minority" and how this affects the mental health of Asian Americans.

The Cal Poly MultiCultural Center cultivates a campuswide community that represents and celebrates the diversity of Cal Poly’s student body. We aim to empower students with the resources, skills and opportunities necessary for academic achievement, leadership development and purposeful civic engagement while providing them with a safe and welcoming home away from home.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact TJ Saelee or Renoda Campbell at (805)756-1405 or mcc@calpoly.edu, or visit the MultiCultural Center Web site at http://multicultural.calpoly.edu.

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