Michael Montinola '21, VP for 2021's Asian Cultural Week / Photo by Francis Tatem
Asian Cultural Week Exec Leader Michael Montinola '21 on How the Tradition Evolved During COVID
This year's theme, "Reconnecting... Finding Our Way" is about more than grappling with the pandemic, Montinola says. "It's about how we can all come together and use our collective voice to push for change."
While at Saint Mary's, Michael Montinola '21 was a Business Administration major with a concentration in Data Analytics. He currently works as a Mediation Specialist at , an up-and-coming manufacturer of luxury electric vehicles.
We spoke to Montinola back in March of 2021, when he served as the Vice President for Asian Cultural Week, an annual celebration of Saint Mary's Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community members. Montinola helped oversee the tradition in 2019, but two years later, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian Cultural Week looked dramatically different.
Montinola answered a few questions about how the annual SMC tradition evolved in a year of remote learning and living.
What is Asian Cultural Week and why are we celebrating? What is your theme this year?
Cultural Week is a continuation and new chapter of the legacy of Asian Cultural Night (ACN). Traditionally, ACN was a one-night, in-person, live event on campus where students would showcase their culture, heritage, stories and identities. We are now embracing the switch to an online platform by celebrating the Asian and Asian-American community for an entire week beginning March 15th. We have expanded this event to the greater community by reaching out to faculty, staff, community leaders, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and family to share their many unique perspectives.
Asian Cultural Week is a time to honor the people before us, celebrate our accomplishments, but it is also a time to bring awareness to issues within our community and country in order to bring justice and solidarity for the future. This year's theme is Reconnecting... Finding Our Way, which is a reference to how we have been affected by a global pandemic, but it is also a reference to how people of color and minority groups in America have faced so much racial discrimination. This theme is more than just reconnecting with people in the Asian community. It's about how we can all come together and use our collective voice to push for change. Every culture, group, identity, and person... we have to find a way to look after one another.
"Some of my best times and memories were made because of the people of Asian Cultural Night. To be a part of this tradition, I am extremely humbled to not only share my own story, but to also share space with incredible human beings."
What does it mean to you to be a part of this tradition at SMC?
To be a part of this tradition at SMC throughout my four years has been an absolute honor. I had the opportunity to participate as a cast member, a set creator, and as an executive member to help organize ACN. I give my thanks and appreciation to the Intercultural Center team and all the people I have worked with along the way. Some of my best times and memories were made because of the people of Asian Cultural Night. To be a part of this tradition, I am extremely humbled to not only share my own story, but to also share space with incredible human beings.
Hate crimes targeted towards Asian Americans are rising and the SMC community wants to make sure we stand and support Asian Americans. How can individuals help and project one another?
The rising rate of crimes and violence against Asian Americans is a serious issue in our country that is not being talked about enough. Many individuals and their families are being affected by these hate crimes, and we must help protect them as a community at SMC. People in our country have put the blame on Asians for COVID-19, but one of the real reasons America is still dealing with this pandemic is because of its lack of a collective approach. We must stop putting the blame on others and ask ourselves how we are either helping or worsening the problems in our country. Individuals can help by spreading awareness and sharing resources to the entire community whenever they can.
Allies of the Asian and Asian-American community must continue to stand and show their support by learning as much as they can on this topic. There must be a willingness on both sides to listen, learn and educate one another. Something as simple as asking "Hey, how are you? How can I support you?" can go a long way for people within the community. Reach out to local community organizations and community leaders to find out how you can show your support.
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