Poster with "We Need to Talk" written with black marker on white poster

UNLV Libraries/Urban Affairs Discussion Series to Address Asian American Discrimination

“We Need to Talk” series resumes in-person Nov. 3 with a focus on the Asian American community’s positive impact in Nevada and ways to combat anti-Asian hate.

The panel series, “We Need To Talk: Conversations on Racism for a More Resilient Las Vegas,” will host an in-person and livestreamed discussion at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. The series is sponsored by the UNLV Libraries and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. 

“We Need to Talk” is an educational series which examines how multiple aspects of systemic racism impact our community. The goal is to propose steps communities and individuals can take to affect positive change. The series features Southern Nevada community members, UNLV alumni, and researchers surrounding issues of race and systemic racism. 

The next discussion is titled “We Need to Talk About AAPI Inclusion.”

The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community represents one of the fastest growing populations in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Yet, Asian Americans have long encountered prejudice and discrimination with their experiences often going unnoticed and their accomplishments dismissed. This panel discussion will cover why understanding and learning more about AAPI history, achievements, and aspirations is vital to creating a more inclusive society. 

Topics will include defining inclusivity, the AAPI community’s positive impact in Nevada, and ways to combat anti-Asian hate.

Panelists

Mark Padoongpatt, director of Asian & Asian American Studies at UNLV and associate professor of Asian American studies and interdisciplinary studies, will serve as guest host. Panelists include:

  • Kathy Sisolak, Nevada’s First Lady
  • Jean Munson, NEW Leadership Nevada program coordinator, UNLV’s Women’s Research Institute of Nevada 
  • Craig Valdez, chair of the Clark County AAPI Community Commission 
  • Radhika Kunnel, co-founder of the South Asian Women's Alliance 

Details

“We Need to Talk About AAPI Inclusion,” is scheduled from 2:30 to 4 on Nov. 3 in the auditorium on the first floor of UNLV’s Greenspun Hall . The event will also be available via livestream on the UNLV Libraries website and on the UNLV Facebook Page. Archived episodes of previous "We Need to Talk" episodes are available now on the UNLV Libraries website. 

Educators can download material from the UNLV Libraries’ companion guide, which offers research, relevant links, and statistics about the history of Asian Americans. Educators are also encouraged to visit UNLV Libraries’ Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian-American Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

Topics:

diversity, equity, and inclusion,  UNLV initiatives

Campus Units:

Department of Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies,  College of Liberal Arts,  University Libraries,  Greenspun College of Urban Affairs,  Office of Community Engagement

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