Since 1992, the United States government has designated May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It’s the perfect time to introduce your non-Asian American and Pacific Islander friends and co-workers to a different cultural experience that Las Vegas has to offer.
With Las Vegas growing to be a diverse community and the Asian American and Pacific Islander community often regarded as the fastest growing ethnic group, there are a lot of different ways you can share the AAPI cultural experience.
1. Recommend different foods
For any upcoming brunch, lunch, or dinner recommendations, share some of your favorite Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses in the Las Vegas community that you frequent or places you’ve always wanted to try.
Some local Las Vegas restaurants will offer unique cultural experiences, like the Filipino tradition “Kamayan” or the Japanese “Omakase” that you and your non-Asian American and Pacific Islander friends and co-workers can experience.
2. Swap the coffee chats with boba chats
The “boba” experience is often a great introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander culture. Whenever someone is asking for a recommendation of where to drink, try suggesting a boba shop or bubble tea shop near you.
On average, the price of a boba drink is comparable to a cup of coffee. With most stores offering over 20 different combinations of teas, smoothes, slurries, and shakes, your non-Asian American and Pacific Islander peers will likely find a flavor that interests them!
3. Share Interesting Facts About AAPI Culture
Many people who do not identify as Asian American and Pacific Islander are likely unaware of the diverse cultures that the Asian American and Pacific Islander encompasses. For decades, the United States census has categorized the 20+ various ethnic groups under one label: “Asian”. Sharing your cultural traditions, such as holidays, clothing, and language can help introduce inclusion and offer your non-Asian American and Pacific Islander co-workers and friends a personal cultural experience. Some specific examples below:
- Talk about what your family celebrates (i.e. Lunar New Year) and how you celebrate.
- Teach others how to say “hello” or “goodbye” in a different language
- Share family photos or traditions during a casual conversation
- Share your favorite cultural music or artists
4. Recommend cultural events to attend
During AAPI Heritage Month, there are a variety of cultural events taking place in the Las Vegas community. This is a great time to bring friends, families, and co-workers to experience the diverse cultures that encompass the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
Most cultural events will include performances from a variety of Asian American and Pacific Islander groups, including the traditional Chinese Lion Dancing and the Japanese Taiko drums.
In addition to cultural performances, there are usually a variety of food vendors offering different street foods that may not usually be found in a typical restaurant. Merchandise vendors will also be present, which is the perfect time to buy small-piece jewelry, clothing, and custom art.
Attending these events not only helps support small Las Vegas businesses but also supports the local non-profit Asian and American Pacific Islander organizers who have spent numerous months planning the event..
5. Volunteer with Local AAPI Non-Profit Organizations
For the next group volunteer event or hangout, recommend getting involved with a local Asian American and Pacific Islander organization in the community. Many Las Vegas non-profit organizations are looking for volunteers, so this is a great way to introduce you and your group to the many Las Vegas non-profit organizations that impact the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
With over 330,000 people living in the Clark County area (which includes Las Vegas) identifying as Asian American and Pacific Islanders, there are various non-profit organizations based in Las Vegas working to address certain needs for various subgroups of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
Many non-profit organizations in Las Vegas are looking for volunteers to help with in-person programming such as cultural events and community services.
Volunteering with local non-profit organizations in Las Vegas that serve the Asian American and Pacific Islander community can help connect your non-AAPI friends and co-workers to community individuals who are passionate about the work they do to help the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
6. Recommend Non-English Films and TV Shows
When your Las Vegas coworkers or friends ask for movie or TV show recommendations,, suggest a non-English alternative. Nowadays, films produced in Asian countries like China, Japan, Vietnam, India, and South Korea have expanded to appeal to a wide range of audiences.
Recommend your favorite non-English shows or those that are currently trending. With the ease of access to view non-English shows in a variety of streaming platforms, many big U.S. streaming giants are heavily investing in non-English shows due to the unique style and “emotional rollercoaster” the storyline provide for their viewers. In 2023, Business Insider reported that Netflix plansinvest over $2.5 billion in Korean entertainment to add to their expanding list of TV shows and movies.
Other streaming platforms like Viki have classic non-English shows that are often subtitled or have an English dub option. Recommending non-English shows often provides an eye-opening experience to see how storytelling is produced compared to most films and TV shows produced in the United States.
Lastly, Become An OCA Member
Be a part of a national organization focused on community building and serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Become an OCA member by purchasing your membership. Annual membership pricing starts as low as $10/year.