Kappa Phi Lambda will sponsor the second Asian Awareness Week at Syracuse University during the week of Nov. 14 through 18.

Each night of the week will feature different programming, ranging from a Tuesday night visit by Margaret Abraham, associate professor at Hofstra University, an open mic night and talent show on Wednesday night and elements of hip-hop on Friday.

Tamanna Mansury, a sophomore economics major, said the awareness week will give students a chance to see that the Asian community represents a variety of people from different countries and cultures.

‘Personally, I think it’s great that there is an Asian Awareness Week,’ Mansury said.

Cheryl Zhang, a Chinese language teaching assistant, said Margaret Abraham’s visit will inform others of domestic violence in Asian families.

‘It is true that women had low social status in traditional Asian cultures, whatever the country is,’ she said. ‘Not long ago, women were dominated by their husbands.’

Today the situation has improved, Zhang said.

Additionally, the events of the week will highlight current Asian culture, such as hip-hop.

She said the element of the hip-hop event on Friday night is an exciting topic because hip-hop is becoming increasingly popular in Asian countries.

‘The young people love it,’ she said. ‘Asian hip-hop was influenced by American hip-hop; however, Asian hip-hop has its own characteristics.’

Sunny Chan, a senior computer science major, attended last year’s Asian Awareness Week. Students from all backgrounds will benefit from its events, Chan said.

‘The programs that are offered during the week are usually very informative to the general student body and not just to Asian Americans,’ he said.

Although those who attended last year’s events said the activities are beneficial, Jonathan Han, a junior international relations and economics major, said students could not accept diversity from outside influences alone.

‘The individual has to be proactive. You can’t shove diversity down people’s throats,’ he said. ‘It’s an ongoing process in getting to know people for who they really are. You cannot take everything at face value.’

Outside influences includes the diversity within the Syracuse faculty. Han drew parallels between the reformation of the football team and how reshaping a more diverse faculty would have the same result.

‘The football program hired a new staff. But in the end, you’re still stuck with the same football team,’ he said. ‘You can change everything institutionally, but it won’t matter if you keep bringing in the same students.’

Tae-Sun Kim, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said students are offered a diversified environment at SU, but many choose to ignore it.

‘Students are given an opportunity to interact with diversity and they choose not to,’ she said. ‘They see the diversity and choose to be with their own. Diversity only becomes a part of your life if you make it.’

Published on November 10, 2005 at 12:00 pm