SBCCD API Association: A Somber Lunar New Year Greeting

The Asian & Pacific Islander Association at the San Bernardino Community College District sent this message to the broader community on January 22, 2023.

Greetings,

The Asian and Pacific Islander Association (APIA) prepared a Lunar New Year greeting to share with our SBCCD family this morning. Unfortunately, we woke up to yet another incident of violence in a predominantly Asian community following a Lunar New Year Festival. This adds to the trauma our community experiences daily. Local law enforcement has not determined if this is a hate crime (using the legal definition), nor have they identified the shooter or his motives. Regardless, the outcome is unchanged, and the result is tragic. As we write this message, there were 10 lives taken and an additional 10 people who are injured. Our hearts are with all the victims and their loved ones as they work toward healing.

APIA stands with Monterey Park, with our API community, and especially with the families directly affected by this tragedy.

Sincerely,

APIA Executive Team

Below is the original message we planned to send:

Your friends at the Asian and Pacific Islander Association want to wish you a Happy Lunar New Year!

Lunar New Year (aka Spring Festival or Chinese New Year) is a multi-day celebration primarily observed among East and Southeast Asian cultures. Each year is represented by the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. This year, we are celebrating the Year of the Rabbit, except in Vietnam and Gurung, where they will be ushering in the Year of the Cat.

Although each culture celebrates the new year differently, food, as always, is an important part of the festivities. In fact, Lunar New Year dishes and their ingredients hold special meaning. Many of them represent good health, longevity, prosperity, and abundance. Foods traditionally eaten during the Lunar New Year include dumplings, whole fish, eggrolls, oranges, noodles, and rice cakes. Below are links to Lunar New Year dishes from various cultures you may want to try:

• Cantonese Sweet Fried Dumplings — GOK ZAI / YAU GOK (角仔/油角)
• Ginger Peanut Sesame Candy
• Jian Dui (Sesame Balls with Red Bean Paste)
• Nian Gao (年糕, Chinese New Year Cake)
• Pancit Palabok (Rice Noodles with Chicken Ragout and Shrimp)
• Tang-Guk (Beef and Radish Soup)

At the heart of Lunar New Year celebrations are, of course, family and togetherness. This is a time when loved ones get together to express appreciation for each other and for their ancestors.

May this new year bring you good food, good health, good luck, and plenty of good memories!

The SBCCD Asian & Pacific Islander Association