AAS and AASPP Statement about the Shooting Incident in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay California
The Asian American Studies Department and the Asian American Studies Pathways Project express our solidarity, pain, and outrage at the tragic loss of life due to the latest mass shootings, and invite you to join us in a Solidarity Circle and discussion this Wednesday, Jan. 25th, 4-6 PM at the Glenn Omatsu House (details below).
First, we are grief-stricken and appalled by the mass shooting that happened last Sunday in Monterey Park, CA. To think that a festive Lunar New Year celebration in Los Angeles County became another scene of gun violence in this country breaks our hearts, and we mourn the 11 lives lost due to this tragic event. We also acknowledge the newest shooting that occurred last night in Half Moon Bay and the seven lives lost there.
Second, we want to note that these shootings took place in California, a state with some of the strictest gun laws in the country, and a shooting of this severity was able to occur despite this. We believe that this shows gun violence to be a serious issue that goes beyond legislative action such as police presence, surveillance, and gun laws.
We must also be willing to honestly look at issues that affect our homes and communities, such as the way boys and men are taught to express pain, anger, and helplessness, and how we respond to signs of deteriorating mental health in our neighbors. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and hopeless in the face of so much senseless death and tragedy. However, we believe we can be stronger by coming together to mourn, support each other, and begin to talk about ways we can strengthen our communities and neighborhoods.
To that effect, the Asian American Studies Pathways Project will be opening the Glenn Omatsu House this Wednesday, Jan. 25th 4-6 PM for a Solidarity Circle, as well as discussions surrounding mental health and domestic violence amongst our Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Desi-American community.
LOCATION: This event will take place at the Glenn Omatsu House, at 18356 Halsted St. Parking with valid permit will be available in the front of the building and in the north west (back left) corner of the B6 parking lot behind the Children’s Center. Light refreshments will be served.
October is Filipino American History Month
Recently, our very own Professor Allan Aquino was interviewed by Meet the (818) Project co-founder Danrochelle Yumul about his role in keeping Filipino American History and Experience thriving at CSUN. Click to read Yumul's article "It Began at CSUN: From Student for Pilipino American History Month to the Fil-Am Experience Class." Featured in the article is an episode of Meet the (818) Chats with Professor Aquino chatting with CSUN alumnus, former CSUN FASA (Filipino American Student Association) President and co-founder, Moonie Lantion. Click on the picture below to watch the episode.
CSUN AAS 2022 Newsletter
Edited by Dr. Tracy Buenavista, the current AAS 2022 Newsletter chronicles so many important moments for Asian American Studies as we are finally back on campus post-pandemic. Check out the newsletter by clicking on the picture above.
1st AAS Oral History Project: Professor Allan Aquino Interviews Professor Glenn Omatsu
(Click the picture to watch the interview on YouTube)
