#whiaapi

Absent any action by President Trump, all three Initiatives will cease to exist at the end of next week, in accordance with an Executive Order signed by President Obama to grant each the authority to continue operations through Trump’s transition period. Trump could easily sign an Executive Order — something the president appears to enjoy doing — that would renew each of the Initiatives and the related Presidential Advisory Commissions. However, Trump has appeared to vacate all interest in or responsibility for the three Initiatives — despite their missions of addressing educational outcomes in the Black, Hispanic, and Asian American & Pacific Islander communities — leaving the fate of these programs in serious doubt.

But I still haven’t told mine. Am I afraid? Yes. Of what? Not being able to articulate it the way I want to. Not being important/significant enough. Not being “artsy” enough in the storytelling. 

Last Music Mondays of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and HOT DAMN, what way to end it!

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably seen the viral music video for "‪#‎SAFE‬," a heater from Dumbfoundead off of his upcoming album set to release in the summer. In line with campaigns ‪#‎StarringJohnCho‬ & ‪#‎StarringConstanceWu‬, this video skyrocketed the conversation surrounding the white washing of Hollywood, which I believe is one of the best parts. Don't believe us, check out the 2,200+ comments just within his Facebook post alone! https://www.facebook.com/dumbfoundead/

Additionally, TRAKTIVIST is extremely proud to have collaborated with fellow curators in putting this playlist together: a-Tunes.net, Mishthi Music,Rudeboy Hawaii, & mydiveo. Shout out to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center for asking us to be part of this month's ‪#‎APAHM‬celebration through music!

See the WHIAAPI post below:

With Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month right around the corner, we’ve partnered with StoryCorps to document and share your stories.

From native Hawaiians to recent immigrants to third-generation Americans, from artists to entrepreneurs to public service leaders, AAPIs are a fundamental part of the diverse mosaic of America.

We encourage you to share your story and those of others within the AAPI community. Highlight issues you care about, share what your identity means to you, or interview others – friends, family members, community leaders, for instance – that are making a difference for the AAPI community.

You can share a story about any topic you wish, and the recording can be as short or as long as you’d like. Themes could include:

Being the first in your family to go to college

Your immigration story

Defying the model minority myth

Preserving culture and identity

Overcoming odds

Share with StoryCorps!

You can use the free StoryCorps app to record your story or interview, and then post your recording link on social media with the #MyAAPIStory sign. Select stories may be highlighted throughout May in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month.

The White House Initiative on AAPIs has launched a public awareness campaign against bullying, called Act To Change. The campaign aims to increase awareness of bullying – including in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community – and empower communities with information and tools to help prevent and end bullying.

The new campaign website, ActToChange.org, includes video and music empowerment playlists and an organizing toolkit, and encourages visitors to “Take the Pledge” to join the #ActToChange movement and stand up against bullying. As one out of three AAPIs does not speak English fluently, resources are available on the site in Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Punjabi, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Please join us in the #ActToChange movement! If you have a moment today, please check out ActToChange.org, Take the Pledge, and share on social media and with your networks.