Asian Thanksgiving, a gathering hosted by the Asian American Culture Club (AACC), Japanese Language Culture Club (JLCC), and South Asian Student Alliance (SASA) on November 13, was a potluck-style event that celebrated Thanksgiving with an Asian cultural twist.
“For me, it’s the idea that ‘family’ is any person or group of people that matters to you. In many Asian cultures, we call people close to us ‘aunty/uncle’, ‘grandmother/father’, ‘brother/sister’, and so on,” English Teacher and SASA Leader Catherine James said. “Maybe it’s the English teacher nerd in me saying this, but it’s that choice of language, our use of those words, that communicates closeness, belonging, and family. So, in short, it’s that when we think of “family”, it’s anyone and everyone you love who loves you back.”
As people become more accepting of cultures, foods, and traditions outside of their own, this event supported and uplifted the idea of community among students, highlighting that different ethnicities aren’t as different as they may seem.
“To me, this event means sharing something nostalgic and personal with a community I love and trust. I’ve always eaten Korean and Chinese food growing up, but been careful about where I eat because of rumors, because comments like “kimchi is stinky”, Student Leader of AACC Maddy Tao ’29 said. “Hosting a food-based event at school felt like opening up a piece of my childhood, and seeing all of my friends enjoy the food I’ve been told is ‘slimy’ and ‘weird’ felt really good!”
Not only did this event provide a space to share Asian culture, but it also gave students a chance to come together and express gratitude as a community.
“Asian Thanksgiving is more than just an event for SASA or AACC; it is an event where the entire Asian community at HW can come together and socialize while celebrating our shared cultures and heritage,” said Student Leader of SASA Shrey Manair ’29
said. “It’s a time for friendship and collaboration that strengthens the bonds of the wider Asian Community as well as the wider HW community, expressing our gratitude for each other, our faculty, and our campus.”
During the event, students, faculty, and staff had the opportunity to share what they were thankful for with one another, thereby strengthening the bond between the student-teacher community.
“I am thankful that my Asian identity helps build community,” Academic Support Teacher and AACC Advisor Peter Cha ’15 said. “It is so nice to get together with others and bond over our good food, TV and movies, karaoke, the Dodgers, and so many other things that fall under the large Asian cultural umbrella.”
