Latest news with #HeritageMonth
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How Getting to Know My Parents Helped Me See Myself More Clearly
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. During this month, many are celebrating by reading books from AAPI authors, gathering with friends and families, and finding ways to support local AAPI businesses. I am reminded of just how diverse and rich our community is. Even within my own Korean American community, we are alike and we are different. We have our own stories to tell, and much of these stories go beyond us. They are connected to our ancestors and our parents. One of the most powerful ways to connect with our heritage is by discovering the stories of our parents. I grew up in a traditional Korean family, where my relationship with my parents was only the extent of what I wanted to eat for dinner or how I performed on my report card. Of course there were many moments of wishing for a different kind of relationship with them when I would hear stories of how my classmates at school actually hung out with their parents. They talked, and they shared about their days. More from SheKnows 10 AAPI-Owned Food Brands to Support Right Now (& Every Day) My parents' lives, like many others, were lived mostly in survival mode due to immigration. My umma was only 32 and my appa was 37, with two young girls to take care of. I turned 42 this year and what I remember about my 30s is self-discovery, navigating newly married life, nourishing my friendships, and finding my grounding as a school teacher. I was just starting to become an adult. My 30s were starkly different from my parents' 30s. Before they came to the U.S, what were their dreams – Individually and collectively? What were they like in their youth with their peers? Did they also get into fights with their parents, too? It was hard to imagine them outside of their parental roles. If we are to celebrate our heritage fully, it is to believe that each of our stories matter. And when we know a person by their stories, it is to see their humanity, their strength, their courage, their dreams, their hopes, and to say that we know them by name. Who they are is part of my story, too, and a story of Korean Americans. Here is what I have done to foster a different kind of conversation and interaction with my parents in order to know them as people. I hope it encourages you to know yours, too. I am grateful that my parents have a great amount of photos in numerous cardboard boxes and photo albums. Before, I looked through these photos and saw age and time. How young my umma looked, or how cute my sister was when she was a baby. And our conversations remained surface-level. Now, I see them as building blocks for new discoveries. You can look at one photo on several different occasions, and a new story will appear. This can happen with intentional questions, a safe space to be vulnerable, and time to sit and listen without rushing. When we were at my parents' house celebrating my appa's birthday last December, I purposely took out one of the cardboard boxes and looked through some photos. One photo stood out to me as one I wanted to know more about. My appa was probably in his early 20s, and he was with some friends on a mountain somewhere. I asked him where it was taken and why they were there. He smiled and suddenly repositioned his body and sat up straight, as to give a big announcement. He looked engaged. My appa shared with me that the photo was taken when he was 16 years old, and the three other young men are his best friends. Their favorite place to go on weekends was Seoraksan, which is located in a national park near the city of Sokcho – his hometown. They would hike, talk, drink, and eat for hours. The first thing that came to my mind was, 'This is where I get my love of hiking.' Here I thought my dad probably studied day and night, even on weekends. But no, weekends were for friends, and away from school. I honestly didn't think he and I had much in common. The Appa I knew is stoic, with not a lot of hobbies outside of work. When we learn of our parents' stories, we are humbled and it allows us to see them apart from our own experiences with them. Many AAPI stories that are told of our parents are ones of trauma and sorrow. What is equally important is amplifying expansive stories – the many different parts to who they are. Our parents are not a monolith. Some questions we can ask when looking at photographs with our parents are: Where were you in this photo? Who were you with? Why were you there? Tell me what you remember about this time. How do you feel looking at this photo now? Do you remember what else was happening in your life during this time? I know for me, asking personal questions like this was awkward for the first several times. It was equally awkward and surprising for my parents, too. It took time and patience. Both my parents started to open up and share eventually. When we are trying to change a dynamic in any relationship, growing pains are inevitable. And change happens over time and it's not linear. Being intentional about gauging the atmosphere, how my parents are feeling at the moment, if we have enough time, have helped in starting these conversations. And, starting with one question per visit is helpful too. Choosing a photo that might provoke joy and positive times is helpful, too, although we may not always know what they are. Lastly, I am honest with my parents. I tell them I am asking these questions now because I genuinely want to know them. And how I know it may feel strange and different and that's okay. Another way to get to know our parents' stories is sharing our own. This one is harder for me to do; because my parents can be quick to judge or give unwanted advice, I don't always find it productive. But, I can choose what I share and when I share it. For example, when I started my teaching job years ago, I told my umma that working was hard and I missed being at school. I asked my umma what she remembers about her first job. What was hard about it? What did she miss before working? These questions led to some difficult, heartbreaking conversations for us, but I am honored that she opened up to me. Sometimes, my parents don't open up, and I have to be patient with them. I also have to make peace knowing that there may be parts of them they don't want to let me in on, and I have to be okay with it. My favorite is talking over a meal. In my Korean culture, food is everything. Gathering for dinner after a long day of work is something we look forward to. No matter how our days were, or the argument we had in the morning, we can still come together at the end of the day to slow down with food. I am still figuring this one out, as we are used to a lot of silence during dinner — at least in my family. I give myself a goal of asking one question to my parents while having a meal. I found our conversations to be richer than before by asking questions that are relevant and organic. For instance, my umma is the best cook I know. I would ask her about when she first had that particular dish and to tell us about it. This was how I found out about her favorite soy milk noodle soup (kongguksu) shop near her middle school where she grew up. She told my husband and I about how she and her girlfriends sometimes had to wait an hour on a sweltering hot day just for one bowl of this refreshing soup. We listened as we enjoyed it on a summer day last year. I looked at my umma, and the way she smiled, she was taken back to a joyful time with friends. When you get to know someone beyond the roles they play, your heart opens up for greater empathy and healing. Whether we are sharing stories of our own, looking at photographs, or sharing a meal, we can be encouraged that it's never too late to know and celebrate our parents in this way. I often think about how perhaps my parents never shared because immigration had led them to believe that they are nameless and voiceless. This AAPI Heritage Month and beyond, let's remind our parents they are not nameless by giving them the space to show us who they are. Because who they are is part of who we are, and we cannot forget that. Launch Gallery: Our Favorite Kids' Books by AAPI Authors, for Toddlers to Teens Best of SheKnows The Most Striking Rare Boy Names in the U.S. Right Now — & the Reason You Haven't Heard Them (Yet) 19 Celebrity Stepparents Who Have a Tight Bond With Their Stepkids I'm 29 Weeks Pregnant, & Comfortable Sandals Are a *Must* This Summer—These Are the Best Ones on the Market
African Manager
19-05-2025
- Business
- African Manager
Tunisia: Central Bank launches new Currency Museum website
The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) has officially launched the new website of its Currency Museum, accessible at ( The unveiling coincides with International Museum Day (May 18, 2025) and marks the conclusion of Heritage Month (April 18–May 18). The BCT highlighted that an information session was held to introduce the website's key features, including a virtual tour of the museum and an online store for purchasing commemorative items In a statement published on the BCT's platform, Governor Fethi Zouhaier Nouri emphasized that 'this modern digital platform offers visitors, both in Tunisia and abroad, the chance to explore Tunisia's monetary history through interactive and visual content. It showcases rare collections of coins and banknotes that reflect Tunisia's economic and cultural heritage, as well as the imprint of ancient civilizations that have shaped out nation over centuries.' Governor Nouri underscored the museum's commitment to fostering collaboration with researchers to advance scientific research and knowledge exchange, safeguard collective memory and national history and preserve this legacy for future generations. He added: 'This initiative reaffirms technology's growing role in cultural dissemination and heritage accessibility. It also aligns with the BCT's efforts to enhance public engagement and promote financial literacy through innovative, inclusive digital tools.' The Currency Museum serves as a window into the evolution of Tunisian currency, reflecting the civilizations that have influenced the country's history and the interplay between national identity and economic heritage.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Korean-born artist passes along centuries-old dye tradition to Maryland art students
A Korean-born artist is passing down a centuries-old tradition to Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) students in Baltimore. For Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we're recognizing artist Rosa Chang, who teaches a traditional indigo and natural dye class at MICA called "Mindful Colors: Natural Dyes from Korea and Beyond." "We are creating a lot of different colors but also really navigating the relationship between the color and nature," Chang said. The class uses plants like indigo and marigold to create hues of blue and gold. It's a meticulous process of soaking plants to get the right color. "[The] Indigo dying process to make this blue requires another fermentation process," Chang said. Chang said she got involved in this work after growing tired of working in the fashion industry as a pattern designer. "Those fabrics dyed from factories feel very toxic," Chang said. Then, someone introduced her to the natural dye practice. That's when she began learning about the significance of indigo. "Almost all different cultures and communities have their own indigo dye practices," Chang said. "There's so many indigo plant species." Chang said indigo is a culture connector. She adds it has a rich history and carries medicinal benefits. "Samurais back in the day in Japan, they would use indigo to dye their that it would protect their wound after the war," Chang said. "It accelerates the healing process." Chang said some would even drink indigo water as medicine during epidemics. These stories are part of the lesson Chang teaches throughout the semester. "Nice to be able to kind of keep things alive" Students in the class are working on their final project, combining all they've learned throughout the course. "We're making a sample book," said MICA student Amber Likins. "Every time I look at this book, I'm going to remember how I did this, but I'm also going to remember just how we got here." "I think I'm just trying to capture every hue," said Sam Beil, another MICA student. Students said the skills learned in class will be something they will use either for their art pieces or as a side hobby. Student Madelaine Kraushaar appreciates the sustainability piece to this work. Kraushaar finds items for art pieces from nature. "I used an invasive species of English Ivy, and I picked it around the trees in Baltimore," Kraushaar said. "Then I used that leaf to make the green dye." Others enjoy learning about a tradition started hundreds of years ago. "Everything is really archaic, and I really enjoy that really historical process," Beil said. "That's important to me, passing it down," said student Amber Likins. Chang's book, "My Indigo World" Chang said her work with indigo and natural dye even inspired her children's book, "My Indigo World." She began writing it during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I couldn't find any evidence of Korean indigo written in English," Chang said. So, she decided to create her own. "My Indigo World" shares the science behind indigo dye and the history of the plant, written and illustrated by Chang. "I really wanted to create something as a gift for my community as well as honor my ancestors," Chang said. Through her book and class, Chang is carrying on the natural dye tradition. Chang said that although many cultures are different, you can find similar practices that connect us all. It's a message she hopes everyone receives. Chang is teaching a workshop for those interested in trying out the practice. It takes place on May 31. Tickets start at $125.
02-05-2025
- General
Chef Leah Cohen shares pancit bihon and lumpia recipes
To kick off Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, chef Leah Cohen is bringing flavors from her Filipino heritage into the spotlight. The chef, restaurateur and TV personality, who rose to national fame on Bravo's 'Top Chef' and is the owner of New York City's Pig & Khao, joined ' Good Morning America ' on Friday to share simple, delicious Filipino dishes that are perfect for home cooks looking to explore Asian cuisine. Cohen demonstrated how to make pancit bihon and lumpia, two classic recipes that are as approachable as they are flavorful. Scroll down for the full recipes. Pancit bihon Ingredients 3 Tbs canola oil or chicken fat 1/2 med onion 3 cloves minced garlic ½ cup Julienne carrot ½ cup sugar snaps 1 cup diced cabbage 1 cup chicken stock 1 ½ cup shredded chicken 8 ounces dried pancit bihon (soak in warm water) ¼ cup soy sauce (more to taste) Salt and pepper to taste Calamansi, lemon or lime to taste Directions Braise the chicken In a pot, braise the chicken in water until fork-tender. Skim the stock periodically to remove impurities. Once cooked, remove the chicken, let it cool slightly, and shred it. Reserve the chicken stock for later use. Prep the vegetables Thinly slice (julienne) the carrots. Mince the garlic. Dice the cabbage into large chunks. Blanch the sugar snap peas and set aside. Chop the onions. Sauté the aromatics & vegetables In a large sauté pan or wok, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until slightly softened. Add the cabbage and carrots, and cook until just tender. Prepare the noodles Soak pancit bihon (rice noodles) in warm water until pliable (about 10–15 minutes), then drain. Add the soaked noodles to the vegetable mixture and toss to combine. Build the dish Pour in reserved chicken stock gradually to loosen the noodles and help them absorb with soy sauce to taste. Add shredded chicken, sugar snap peas, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Finish & serve If available, squeeze fresh calamansi juice over the top just before serving. If not, a squeeze of lemon or lime will work as a substitute. Tips from Cohen You need to soften the dried rice -- Using them by soaking in warm water for 10–15 minutes until pliable. No need to boil -- boiling can make them mushy when stir-fried. Prep everything before cooking -- Pancit comes together fast, so have your veggies, chicken, and sauce ready to go. It's a stir-fry style dish, so mise en place is key. Shortcut with rotisserie or roasted chicken -- No need to cook chicken from scratch. I like to use oven-roasted or store-bought rotisserie chicken -- just shred and add it in at the end so it stays juicy and flavorful. Pack in the veggies -- kids won't notice. This dish is a great way to get your kids to eat vegetables. I load it up with thinly sliced carrots, cabbage, green beans and more. The noodles soak up the flavor and texture, and honestly -- my kids don't even notice the veggies are in there. Lumpia 'In the Philippines, we have two kinds of spring rolls or, as we call them, lumpia-fresh and fried,' Cohen said. 'The fresh version has an almost crepe-like wrapper. While those are delicious, it's the fried version, Lumpia Shanghai, that always puts a smile on my face. ' She continued, 'My parents say that's been true since I was a toddler. I can't wait to introduce my son to these delicious snacks as well, and given that they're a staple at every Filipino party, holiday, and birthday. I don't think that will take long. This roll can be filled with whatever you like: beef, pork or vegetables. The combination in this recipe is my favorite.' Ingredients 4 ounces ground beef 8 ounces ground pork 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger ½ cup water chestnuts, drained, rinsed, drained again, and cut into small dice ¼ cup finely diced carrots ½ small Spanish onion, finely diced 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce ¾ teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ½ teaspoon Thai chili flakes 1 medium scallion, thinly sliced 15 spring roll wrappers (I prefer Wei-Chan), cut in half crosswise on the diagonal 1 large egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water 1 quart peanut or vegetable oil 1½ cups store-bought sweet chili sauce Directions 1. Put the beef and pork in a large bowl and gently mix to combine. Add the garlic, ginger, water chestnuts, carrot, onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, chili flakes, and scallion and mix until combined. 2. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Take half of a wrapper and place it on your work surface so that a point is facing you. Place about 2 heaping tablespoons of the filling on the wrapper and spread it out to the edges. Turn up the bottom corner and roll upward. Fold in the left and right corners, making sure the filling is nicely packed, with no air pockets. Continue rolling. Dip your finger in the egg wash, pat it on the remaining corner, and finish rolling the lumpia, sealing the edge. The lumpia should be about ½ inch in diameter. 3. Put the lumpia on the baking sheet. The lumpia can be made to this point and refrigerated, covered with a damp towel, for up to 8 hours or frozen in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks. 4. Heat the oil in a wok or high-sided sauté pan over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Line another baking sheet with paper towels. Fry the lumpia in batches of four to six, until golden brown and crispy and the meat is cooked through, for a total of 4 minutes for fresh lumpia and 6 minutes for frozen. 5. Remove with a slotted spoon to the prepared baking sheet. Serve with the sweet chili sauce on the side. ** I find that it helps to separate the wrappers in advance; cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Tips from Cohen Use a fine meat mixture -- Finely mince veggies and use ground pork (or a pork-beef mix). Avoid excess liquid—wet filling leads to soggy lumpia. Don't overfill the wrapper -- A heaping tablespoon of filling is enough. Overfilling causes tearing and uneven cooking. Roll tight — but leave the ends open -- I like to roll lumpia with the ends open. It lets steam escape during frying, so they turn out extra crispy. Sealing both ends traps heat and moisture, softening the wrapper. Seal with a slurry or egg wash -- Use a cornstarch-water paste or beaten egg to seal the edge and keep your roll intact. Make large batches and freeze -- Lumpia freezes beautifully! Lay them flat on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Fry straight from frozen—no need to thaw—just adjust the cooking time slightly. Taste-test the filling first -- Cook a spoonful of the raw mix before rolling everything to check seasoning. Adjust as needed. By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave and and these e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links. here. 'GMA' kitchen picks 15% off Amazon T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set 3 Piece $71.59 $84.99 Amazon Shop Now Amazon Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet $27 Amazon
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anna Sui Gets a Barbie Doll Named After Her
Anna Sui will be getting her own Barbie doll named after her. In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, Mattel Inc.'s Barbie will honor Sui with an Inspiring Women Barbie doll. The doll will be available for pre-sale on Mattel Shop and for $35, starting Thursday. More from WWD Anna Sui Exhibition Is Heading to the Phoenix Art Museum The Originals: How Anna Sui Became the Gen Z Fashion Whisperer Zooey Deschanel Goes Mod in 1960s-inspired Anna Sui Dress for 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' Los Angeles Premiere Barbie's Inspiring Women series pays tribute to courageous women who took risks, changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. Sui began her fashion career as a student at Parsons School of Design in New York, and started designing clothes out of her New York apartment. In 1991, she introduced her first collection, which quickly gained a devoted, global following with its blend of rock 'n' roll and romanticism. She has been awarded the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent and the CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. The designer is a first-generation Chinese American born in Detroit, and joins other women in the Inspiring Women series such as Jane Goodall, Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks and Sally Ride. Barbie worked closely with Sui to create a doll that reflects her likeness. Her star-print dress and chunky heeled boots take their cue from a look in Sui's 2007 collection. The jet-black jewelry are her personal signature pieces, and her sunglasses are from her spring 2025 collection. Her nails are painted bright green, Sui's favorite color, from the Anna Sui Cosmetics nail polish collection. The doll also includes a miniaturized perfume bottle of her Anna Sui Classic Eau de Toilette. 'Having a Barbie doll in my likeness inducted to the Barbie Inspiring Women series is such a meaningful and full-circle moment,' said Sui. 'I've been a Barbie fan since childhood, and dressing Barbie played a pivotal role in igniting my passion for fashion. I spent countless hours designing looks for my dolls with fabric scraps left over from my mom's sewing projects — it was creative outlet that encouraged me to follow my dreams. I know my younger self would be incredibly proud of how far I've come, and I hope my doll inspires fans to embrace curiosity, nurture their creativity and dream without limits,' she said. In further celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, the Barbie Dream Gap Project, a global mission dedicated to closing the gap by challenging gender stereotypes and helping undo the biases that hold girls back from reaching their full potential, will donate to APEX for Youth in partnership with Sui. Through programming focused on health and well-being, education and community engagement, their volunteers support and mentor students of all ages to build the next generation of tomorrow's change makers. Best of WWD A Look Back at Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding Beyoncé's Tour Outfits: From 'Cowboy Carter' to 'Dangerously in Love' and More Photos Savannah James' Style Through the Years: LeBron James' Wife's Fashion Evolution [PHOTOS]
