Correction: An initial version of this story contained a misspelling of the word taiko. It has been corrected.
The Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi (APID) heritage month kickoff was in full swing with food vendors on every corner of the quad and a stage ready for performances and guest speakers to welcome students.
LBCC held its kick-off event at the LAC campus in the A quad on May 4 to celebrate heritage from north to southeast Asia, including Pacific Islander and Desi cultures.
The theme for the event was amplification through unification for students, which intends to unify students of color through events, clubs and meetings.
“I think we are such a diverse group, so it is important to represent all the different groups on campus. To be here is to represent that we are all American,” said full-time faculty member Aliana Yang. Stands of clubs that students could join to be more included in on-campus life were seen throughout the quad.
According to Yang, it is a must that APID is known and welcomed at LBCC.
Superintendent President Mike Munoz gave a speech about racial equity and the importance of APID.
His message was delivered alongside powerful speeches on inclusivity and welcoming students of Asian descent from Japanese language professor Hiromi Takahashi and Interim Director of Student Life & Conduct Telia Robertson.
Telia Robertson then spoke on the importance of getting APID students more events and appreciation in the LBCC community
“Amplification for unification is really just letting everyone know who we are as Asian Pacific islanders, staff faculty, we want our students to know that this is their village. Also, to uplift our voices, there are not a lot of programs focused on our Asian pacific islander students. The Mona learning community has just opened up. Our staff APID has just opened up, now they can have a place to go,” said Robertson.
The first on-stage performance opened with the Taiko Center of Los Angeles, a Japanese-inspired drum band consisting of four members playing the Japanese Taiko drums that are usually played at cultural festivals.
The Taiko band performed a piece called ‘Aranami’ which represents turbulent waves, inspired by Hachijo island in Japan, and was taken from a festival modernized into a festive fun song.
Taiko band member Reese Buckway describes her experience playing the Taiko drums as euphoric and gratifying when in front of an audience.
“It gives me serotonin and I’m glad the audience liked it. It’s good to see positive reactions,” said Buckway.
The last performance was by a three-man band performing the song ‘Kickback’ by Kenshi Yonez, which excited student onlookers as well as LBCC faculty and staff.