Asian Americans address need for awareness, advocacy during this year's Asian Festival
As members of the Asian American community face an onrush of violent hate crimes, attacks that have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jona Hilario and others said sharing their experiences is essential in the fight against racism.
While there's been growing awareness nationally, there's still a line of separation between Asian Americans and other residents on a local level, Hilario, a Hilliard resident, said. In helping educate central Ohioans on the matter, Hilario said events such as the Asian Festival can help bridge the gap.
Through shared common experiences and cultural interests, whether food, dance or music, this year's festival has even more significance given today's societal climate, said Hilario, who serves as the co-director of OPAWL — a statewide group of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and nonbinary volunteers who organize social-justice initiatives.
"The Asian Festival has always been an opportunity for people to enjoy different aspects of Asian cultures — food, art and dance, but I'm hoping people get a chance to do that as a gateway to learning about our different communities," Hilario, 39, said. "We need as many allies as possible so we can change things, especially in Ohio."
The Asian Festival, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, will be held virtually this year because of the pandemic. The organization plans to have eight hours of streaming each day, with a 15-minute break every four hours.
The event will be streamed on the Asian Festival website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitch, with a one-hour program called "Good Day Marketplace Special: Asian Festival" airing on WSYX-TV (Channel 6) on Saturday, and WTTE-TV (Channel 28) on Sunday.
Yung-Chen Lu, who developed Columbus' Asian Festival in 1994, said the 27th anniversary of the event will be in line with his initial vision: to provide community members with resources and to showcase the heritage and experiences of Asian Americans.
With that, Lu said this year's virtual event will encompass those founding principles by highlighting the obstacles many Asian Americans have encountered through a number of new elements.
Along with dance performances, martial arts and cooking demonstrations, as well as other activities traditionally seen at the festival, Lu, who currently serves as treasurer, said the organization has reached out to several state legislators and community leaders to speak on the increasing Asian hate crimes.
The former Ohio State University mathematics professor said the festival will also present a tribute to the six Asian American women killed in the Atlanta shooting on March 16 as well as those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19.
"We are really saddened by what happened on March 16 in Atlanta, and because of that, we have to have the solidarity and true fight against the Asian hate crime," Lu, 83, of Upper Arlington, said. "This is absolutely a hate crime and we have to stop them; We have to really promote whatever we can on this matter."
During this time, Deb Papesh, 55, said there needs to be more "equity ambassadors," or people willing to connect with those who differ from them for a common cause. In this case, the end to Asian hate.
To counter the attacks and offensive rhetoric, Papesh, who serves as a board member for the Dublin Education Foundation, said the Asian Festival will forge the varied perspectives of Asian Americans and other races.
"It's great to be able to share our food, dance and experiences, travel, the arts — all those things are wonderful," Papesh, of the Northwest Side, said. "But there's a real serious piece in our country, and this past year people have really realized what happens if we give space to hate. We have to give love, acceptance and understanding, more space to grow."
Beyond an exhibition of Asian culture, Papesh said the festival will be a progressive step toward change and increased advocacy.
"This festival is an action step, not just rhetoric for people to say let's have less hate," she added. "It's a real step, and has more significance this year because we've seen what happens when hate remains unchecked."
Sophia Antoun, 32, of the South Side, said having this level of advocacy from non-Asian Americans could provide a sense of empowerment. She's hopeful the outside support can inspire Asian Americans to reclaim their individual cultures even further.
"We can proactively support people who are doing the work of social justice, supporting their families and actively showing solidarity," Antoun said. "That's just as important than showing up to a rally or signing a petition.
"We matter. We belong here and this is our home. It's not just our home by location, but by the things we give to this community."
At a glance
The Asian Festival will take place virtually from on Saturday and Sunday, and be streamed on the organization's website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitch.
The organization plans to have eight hours of streaming each day, with a 15-minute break every four hours. Links to access the streaming content will be shared on the festival's Instagram and website in the coming days.
The "Good Day Marketplace Special: Asian Festival" program will air from noon to 1 p.m. May 29 on WSYX-TV (Channel 6), and from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday on WTTE-TV (Channel 28).
For more information, go to asian-festival.org/.