JAMAAL WAIREGI, Staff Writer—
The Denison Asian Student Union (DASU) held Reclaiming Culture Week last week, allowing students a space to feel connected, understood and invited. “It’s our second annual Reclaiming Culture Week, and this is one of our most staple events,” says Mai Dang ‘24, a member.
“Reclaiming Culture Week began last year,” states Michael Kern ‘22, president of DASU, “as a response to the mass amount of cultural appropriation that happens on this campus, usually around this time… [it’s] a series of events that are meant to address those [problems] in different ways and celebrate our culture… and make sure people are aware that we’re not going to put up with anyone stepping over our culture.”
On October 26th, DASU held an event with La Fuerza Latina and the Denison International Student Association (DISA) to share superstitions, scary stories and urban legends of different cultures. On the 27th, DASU invited Sayaw FilipinOH, a Dayton-based cultural dance group “dedicated to showcasing Philippine culture through dance and costume.”
The group held a workshop where students could enjoy traditional Philippine dances and music. DASU teamed up with DISA, the Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority and the African Student Association Oct. 28 to discuss cultural appropriation, its effects on certain groups and cultures, and why Denison should be aware of cultural appropriation on the campus. DASU and the Black Student Union joined again Oct. 29 to discuss anti-blackness in anime, and how the medium (and other types of media) must come to understand how to make its Black audiences feel included.
With a wide-ranging repertoire of topics to cover, DASU not only covers its cultures within its group, but many others. “Reclaiming Culture Week supports DASU’s claim to support everyone in our community, not just us,” Kern says.
“It’s really exciting to attend each event because every event is different, and I get to show my culture,” says Jennifer Vong ‘24, another member.
“This is my first experience with participating in the whole week,” Dang says. “[I am] embracing my culture. I get to learn about other cultures as well.”
Michael Kern concerns the future students who may encounter these issues: “It’s important to me because of how cultural appropriation has affected… students who I looked up to, who have now graduated… it’s important for me to try to eradicate that from anyone else who comes after me.”
Reclaiming Culture Week has allowed students to tackle the topic of cultural appropriation on campus, giving them opportunities to embrace their differences. DASU and Denison’s other C3 organizations will continue to help students realize the value of the diversity in the university.