Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Recognizing and Reckoning with Our Nation’s History of Anti-Asian Racism
It was the tragic events of March 16 in the greater Atlanta area—where eight people were shot and killed, six of whom were women of Asian descent—that have at last focused the national spotlight on the increasing reports of violence against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) community and on our nation’s long history of bigotry and legalized discrimination against people of Asian descent.
To commemorate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Blank Rome LLP is proud to host, in co-sponsorship with PNC Bank and the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania, a timely discussion among business, legal, and social justice thought leaders about the historical, political, and social underpinnings of anti-Asian racism in America and the lasting impact on our AAPI and other diverse communities. Our esteemed panelists will generously share their experiences, observations, and strategies for advocating towards solutions to these important concerns.
TOPICS
With the goal to broaden insights and encourage positive change across our communities, the panel will discuss:
- Our nation’s history of racism and legalized discrimination against people of Asian descent
- Stereotypes about the AAPI community, including the “model minority” and the “perpetual foreigner”
- Intersectional concerns of AAPI women and members of the LGBTQ+ community
- Allyship and other strategies to overcome anti-Asian racism
MODERATOR
- Sophia Lee, Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Emeritus, Blank Rome LLP
PANELISTS
- Rosalind M. Chow, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business
- Nydia Han, 6abc Consumer Investigative Reporter, Co-Anchor of Action News Sunday Mornings, and Emmy Award-winning Journalist
- Tsiwen M. Law, Adjunct Instructor, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
- Janet Lee, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Ansys
- Stephen T. Kulp, Associate, Delany Law and Chair, Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association
- Melissa Pang, Assistant General Counsel, The School District of Philadelphia
This program was featured in the article, In-House Counsel Speak Out on Anti-Asian Hate, published in Law360 on May 27, 2021.