The Asian American Student Association was started by Tracy Ye, who felt there was a lack of an Asian community on campus. An Asian American herself, Ye found it hard to connect with others, especially with a rise in Asian violence across the country.
Ye and fellow students are currently in the process of establishing the organization and plan to officially start by the beginning of the coming spring semester.
Ye commented on why she is so passionate about the AASA, saying, “I feel like at this time more than ever, it is important to create a community and a support system for those struggling during this challenging period.”
Ye also hopes to encourage the promotion of Asian American cultures and facilitate their voices being put out into the world.
Last year, she made the decision to start the AASA, and at the start of the fall semester she began speaking to fellow Asian students on campus, finding fellow students who also wanted to start this organization. They began discussing their experiences on campus and what they hoped to change through the organization.
She stated, “Together, we hope to establish a sustaining culture of activism regarding Asian and Asian American identity, while also providing a platform for students to celebrate their heritage and find their voice for change.”
The Asian American Student Organization is open to anyone on campus who is interested in learning more about Asian culture and using their voice to stop violence.
One goal of the AASA, among many others, is to educate students on Asian cultures and remove the common stereotypes surrounding them. She hopes to do this through celebrating heritage, exploring other identities and discussing the individual experiences of everyone involved with the organization. Additionally, the AASA plans to contribute to local charities, food banks and more, all while creating a community for minorities at ETSU.
