June 1, 2023
In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, local television and radio broadcasters highlighted issues, people and events that exemplify the importance of AAPI members to their communities.
In March, iHeartMedia’s KFI AM Los Angeles, Calif., covered a local organization offering free self-defense classes to Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) seniors to bring a sense of community, empowerment and safety for AAPI elders. “Seniors Fight Back,” based in Torrance, was founded in 2021 after reports of rising hate crimes against the Asian American community, particularly against the elderly. In addition, the recent shooting in Monterey Park that killed 11 people has left that community reeling. Classes are taught by Ron Scolesdang, a professional Muay Thai fighter with more than 20 years of self-defense experience.
E.W. Scripps Company’s KTNV Las Vegas, Nev., senior reporter Jaewon Jung sat down with Duy Nguyen, the first Asian assemblyman of Nevada Assembly District 8, a district where nearly half the population identifies as Asian American and Pacific Islander. As one of the most diverse districts in the state, Nguyen views his district as unique and his main priorities are welcoming small business owners, ensuring education, language access and economic development. In addition, raising the voice of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is one of his driving factors in state legislature.
Allen Media Group’s KITV4 interviewed Chinese American writer, producer and director Tom Huang about his movie “Dealing With Dad,” a dramatic comedy that addresses the issue of mental health with his own father and opened in Honolulu, Hawaii, during Mental Health Awareness Month. "Based on my experience trying to get my dad out of depression, it took us about eight years and part of the reason is that for a lot of people in our culture, depression isn’t really considered a disease. It's considered an emotion. It's hard enough for me to get my parents to go to the hospital if they break a leg or something. But once I got them onboard, things went really well and he got the support he needed. So I decided I wanted to make a film because I really wanted to start a discussion about mental health and depression not just in our community, but also in the United States and the world," Huang said.
Forcht Broadcasting’s WHOP AM highlighted the official proclamation of May as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month in Hopkinsville, Ky., and Christian County. Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight and Christian County Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam presented the proclamation to Rachel Fort Farmer with the Human Rights Commission. “We thank the city and the county for recognizing this month as AAPI Heritage Month. We’re excited to celebrate the contributions of that community here in Christian County, as well,” said Farmer.
Nexstar Media Group’s CW33 Dallas, Texas, recommended local AAPI and Asian-owned local businesses in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The station highlighted the importance of recognizing and supporting AAPI-owned businesses that are making significant contributions to the economy and culture of Dallas. With more than 26 Asian nationalities represented in Dallas, the community makes up 3.5% of Dallas residents. From delicious food to unique shopping experiences, the cuisine, community and cultural representation are a testament to the city’s multiculturalism.
TEGNA’s King5 Seattle, Wash., sat down with four members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to get their perspectives on being Asian American. All four people said that despite being American, they find they constantly have to explain their identity. They also discussed issues such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Asian hate crimes, assimilating while still trying to honor their cultures and heritages and their sense of pride in their families, community and culture.
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