WSU Vancouver observes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and honors the rich histories, cultures and accomplishments of Asian American and Pacific Islander peoples, including WSU Vancouver students, faculty, staff and community partners. Asian American people and Pacific Islander people represent two different panethnic groups each with their own history, development, traditions and achievements including significant contributions to all aspects of U.S. and international advancement. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, therefore, broadly celebrates and encompasses heritages from across all of Asia and all the Pacific Islands.
As the campus community recognizes and celebrates this heritage month, more than 3,800 incidents of hate have been directed at Asian and Asian American people over the last year, according to Stop AAPI Hate. WSU Vancouver condemns racism, xenophobia and all forms of systemic oppression, including verbal and physical violence against Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Black, Brown, Indigenous, Native American and People of Color; and people from historically targeted communities in general, including people disproportionately targeted by and during the COVID-19 pandemic specifically.
WSU Vancouver is committed to actualizing an ethical and socially just society through an intentional commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. There is much more to do. During this heritage month, hold space for critical reflection, conversation, advocacy and change agency. We are in this together. Throughout Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and every day beyond, let’s continue building an empowered campus community of equity-mindedness, cultural responsiveness and inclusive excellence where every student, staff and faculty member feels a strong sense of agency, belonging, safety and opportunity to thrive.