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When April Plays Again: Music, Memory, and Your Lie in April
Written by Ruthie Suarez Every April, I always end up rewatching Your Lie in April. It has become something I naturally return to when spring comes around. There is something about that time of year that matches the story’s feeling. Everything feels a little softer and more emotional, and the show fits that mood in a way that makes it hit differently every time. The first time I watched it, I did not expect it to stay with me the way it did. I thought I was just watching a sad anime about music, but after it ended, I couldn’t really move on right away. It stayed in my head…
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Seeing Ourselves On Screen: Why Representation Matters
Written by Hannah Sazon I was scrolling on my phone when I first saw that there was a new DreamWorks Animation movie centered around Filipino culture coming out. Forgotten Island is about 2 Filipino best friends who find themselves transported to a mysterious island inspired by Filipino folklore, and encounter mythological creatures that uncover deeper connections to their identity and heritage. I was honestly really excited finding out, and it made me think about why. In recent years, there’s been an increasing Filipino representation in the media. Whether it’s music artists like Olivia Rodrigo, small scenes of Tagalog in The Pitt, or quick references in Spider-Man: No Way Home, this…
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From Model Minority to Movement Maker
Written by Asmi Chinauriya For more than half a century, the Asian American community in the United States has been known as the “Model Minority.” It came during the Civil Rights era and was used as a term to look down upon Black activism. However, now this Model Minority has turned into the Movement makers, but this movement is not a shift in perception. It is a reconfiguration of American political power. Starting in 2020, the events that took place during that time dissolved the illusion of safety that the economy was supposed to give. The anti-Asian hate crimes were on the rise, and xenophobic rhetoric surrounding COVID-19 added fuel…
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Student Advocate Spotlight
Written by Francesca Tero In light of this month’s edition: “Activism and Advocacy,” I wanted to take a moment to recognize a dedicated and accomplished student advocate in APIDA. Janelle Castro, a junior studying Political Science, Media Communication, and Legal Studies, spent her Spring 2026 semester in Washington, D.C., in a special program with the UD Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. Her work is very inspiring, and I believe it’s important to share it with the rest of APIDA. I sat down with Janelle to interview her about her position and more about what she’s learned in her role this semester. Here is a summary of our conversation!…
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Sinophobia to Aesthetic: My Complicated Hope
Written by Jodie Li Growing up, I always stood my ground, proud to be Asian, proud to be Chinese. Even in elementary school, a time when many Asian American kids felt embarrassed by their lunches, their backgrounds, or their features, I had a strong joy associated with my background. I thank my parents for that. They filled my childhood with stories, traditions, and explanations of all the amazing things about my Chinese heritage. They planted a pride in me that no one or any comment could make me feel ashamed. That pride followed me through middle school, through high school, and even in a time where people were scared to…
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Playground Politics: The Small Things That Shape What we Care About Today
Written by Paulina Tep It’s second grade, and I’m with my friends at recess. They’re all wearing their fluffy pink and teal North Face jackets, and I’m probably just wearing some basic Costco-brand jacket, my parents got me for Christmas. Whatever. Rainbow Loom is all the craze, so we all pull up our sleeves and show the bracelet we made the night before. We compliment each other in awe of our colorful, curated patterns. It’s all beautiful, then I hear one of my friends go, “Ew, you have a C-clip!” Everyone else notices, and I’m told, “Sorry, you can’t be here anymore.” They were still my friends, but I just…
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The Extra Trip
Written by Sophia Kim Grocery shopping with my mom has always been a memorable experience, often taking a lot out of the day because of the lack of accessibility for Asian produce and ingredients. Our weekly decision was between driving all the way to PA to the nearest H Mart and just going to Acme. This choice between comfort and convenience shouldn’t have to weigh on anyone’s mind and is a prevalent issue for people across many races. Personally, we would want to go to Hmart to be able to make and enjoy dishes that my parents grew up with, but most times we would just cave and get food…
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What I’m Bringing to the Picnic
Written by Sophia Li One thing I MUST bring to the picnic is a charcuterie board. Pronounced shahr-koo-tuh-ree, the board is a curated platter of assorted cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, and spreads arranged on a board or tray. Not only do I believe this is the best finger food ever, but it’s also super customizable. I consider this one of my comfort foods because sometimes I would buy the meat and crackers themselves and eat them as a snack. It’s just something very easy to eat and can look very aesthetic since you can arrange it many different ways on the board. By the time everything is arranged,…
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What Advocacy Looks Like to Me
Written by Zoe Pecson The Oxford English Dictionary defines advocacy as the following: “public support that somebody gives to an idea, a course of action or a belief,” or “support, advice and help given to people, often with special needs or aims, who are unable to speak for themselves.” At its core, advocacy is about providing support to others who may need it. To me, advocacy means using the platforms and opportunities available to you to educate, support, and uplift others in meaningful ways that improve their lives. One thing I have learned in college is that as Asian Americans, we have a certain privilege that often goes unnoticed: we…
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Asian American Activism: Honoring Past Leaders
Written by Zoe Pecson Across the global Asian community, there is a long and diverse history of individuals and leaders who have made lasting contributions, spanning thousands of years. While the history of Asian Americans is more recent, it has been shaped by people who fought for a future rooted in equality and justice, creating opportunities that continue to impact us today. This article highlights several Asian American figures whose activism reflects the ideals expressed in the U.S. Constitution that all people are “endowed with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Through their work, these individuals pushed the nation to more fully…
