Theme: “Let's Talk about Anti-Asian Racism -- For Once”

Inaugural TEDxUWLaCrosse Salon Series’s First discussion “Let's Talk about Anti-Asian Racism -- For Once” a presentation and group discussion facilitated by Dr. Roi Kawai, Assistant Professor - Department of Educational Studies, and UW-L student Meng Vang, Student Affairs and Administration,

On Tuesday, November 17 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Join the TEDxUWLaCrosse Community for our Inaugural Salon Series, opening with a presentation and group discussion facilitated by Dr. Roi Kawai, Assistant Professor - Department of Educational Studies, and UW-L student Meng Vang, Student Affairs and Administration, titled

At a TEDx salon, attendees watch TED Talks, listen to speakers, and have discussions about the talks they witnessed. Salons re-engage the audience in the presentation model through the critical element of lively discussions, allowing attendees to actively participate in the event and shape the conversation.

Dr. Kawai and Vang will begin their salon,“Let's Talk about Anti-Asian Racism -- For Once”, with the TED talk: “Why I love the Country that Once Betrayed Me” by George Takei. Using the video as a reference, Kawai and Vang will discuss the dangers of and reasons why discussion about racism against Asians is, at best, marginalized, and, at worst, considered non-existent.

Dr. Kawai describes the event,”We will talk about why our public schools and institutions of higher learning often forget or diminish the historical and current struggles of Asian and Asian-American people in America. We will layer these questions particularly in regards to the Hmong population in La Crosse and surrounding areas, illuminating the need for recognition and celebration of diversity amongst Asians and Asian American people. In the process we hope to disrupt notions of the model minority myth, the illusion that Asians and Asian Americans have “made it” in America and how other communities of color should follow suit. We end by discussing how Asians, Asian Americans, and allies can work in solidarity to take collective civic and political action for racial equity.”

Institute For Campus Excellence, Room 150
Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1631 Pine Street
La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601-3748
United States