Feature
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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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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…
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2026 Senior Spotlight: Will Chen
Hey guys, this is Will Chen. For those of you who do not know me, I am a senior here at UD, double-majoring in finance and business analytics. In the past four years, I’ve been actively involved on campus through organizations such as AAPC. It’s bittersweet to be writing this article, as it will be one of my last. With graduation coming up, I’ve been looking back at the time I spent here and reminiscing about how much I’ve grown since freshman year. There have been ups and downs. I wouldn’t say college has exactly been easy, but it’s been an experience where I learned a lot about myself. As…
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2026 Senior Spotlight: Steven Pham
Hi everyone, my name is Steven Pham. I’m a senior majoring in business management and marketing with a minor in business analytics. As I near the end of this chapter of my life, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on how much has changed, not just on what I know but also on who I’ve become. In this article, I want to share my journey here at UD and the most important lessons I’ve picked up along the way. And no, these aren’t just academic takeaways; they’re lessons about identity, purpose, and figuring out what you actually want out of life. When I first arrived at the University…
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2026 Senior Spotlight: Sophia Li
Hey everyone! My name is Sophia Li, and I’m a senior at the University of Delaware with a major in Biology and a minor in Forensics. When people say time flies, they are not kidding. As senior year comes to an end, I can’t help but think about what the next step of my life is going to be, which I haven’t exactly figured out… The four years of college have felt like a fever dream. I met so many new people and learned so much. I never thought I would see myself as a senior in college, let alone make it this far. I still can’t fully process that,…
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2026 Senior Spotlight: Jodie Li
Hi! If you’re stalking me, you might already know this, but if not, my name is Jodie Li. I’m in my last semester of senior year, double-majoring in Management Information Systems and Finance. I’ve been a commuter all my years at UD, but stayed involved with APIDA and joined AAPC as an intern my sophomore year. When I first came to UD, I wanted to meet more people and get involved with RSOs that would let me embrace my culture. As someone who loves meeting new people (even though I can be very awkward at first), I found long-lasting friendships and made amazing memories through APIDA. I won’t say I…
