Posted: May 11, 2021 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: May 11
Michael Chan says sometimes Asian actors have to play roles of other Asian backgrounds, which can sometimes lead to guilt because someone else is likely more authentic for that role. (Submitted by Michael Chan)
May is Asian Heritage Month. Boldly Asian is a CBC Toronto series shining a light on GTA changemakers who are pushing boundaries within their Asian Canadian communities and beyond.
CBC Toronto spoke with Asian artists across the Greater Toronto Area about how they embrace their cultural identity in their craft.
Here s what they shared.
Cutsleeve rocks to their own tune
To lump everybody from the Asian continent into one, it s kind of impossible.
- Puran Guram
Born in Niagara, Ont., Ali grew up in the Greater Toronto Area before moving to Ottawa for work. Despite having Indian and Pakistani roots, Ali said he s never identified with the term Asian. He said his parents taught him cultural traditions, but neither Asian nor even South Asian were terms used at home. They wouldn t identify in that way, he said. I feel like in some ways it could be a disservice even, or misidentify, he said.
Ali is not alone. During the month of May, many Canadians, especially those with South Asian roots, revisit a familiar inner dialogue about what means to be Asian.
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REVIEW: Limited Time Special Lomilomi Salmon Tartare and A5 Wagyu Loco Moco Satisfy at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs
May 9, 2021·1 min read
REVIEW: Limited Time Special Lomilomi Salmon Tartare and A5 Wagyu Loco Moco Satisfy at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs
As part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Walt Disney World has several special offerings this month. We stopped by Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs to try their special menu.
The Asian Heritage and Pacific Island Month Evening Special Menu
Three items are on the Asian Heritage and Pacific Island Month Evening Specials menu: Lomilomi Salmon Tartare as an appetizer, A5 Wagyu Loco Moco as an entree, and Halo Halo for dessert.
Asian Heritage Month in Canada
May 10, 2021
Here, at
CanLit, we are proud of all the opportunities we’ve had to promote Asian Canadian Literature. In recognition of Asian Heritage Month, we’ve put together a post that highlights Asian-Canadian experience in Canada.
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Having published many critical articles and special editions on a variety of topics that demonstrate the contributions Asian Canadians have made to Canadian culture, we know there are still many ways we need to continue to support, amplify, and up-lift their voices in the face of anti-Asian racism. We hope this post offers a resource for individuals to use to help them learn more about the context of Asian “Canadianess” in Canada and Canadian literature.Â
Virtual Artist Talk in Celebration of Asian Heritage Month
Date:
Admission: This virtual event is
free. Please register on EVENTBRITE
May was officially declared Asian Heritage Month by the Canadian Government in 2001.
Over the last two centuries, immigrants have journeyed to Canada from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western and Southeast Asia, bringing our society a rich cultural heritage representing many languages, ethnicities and religious traditions.
This talk is to celebrate Asian Heritage Month in all its diversity and vastness.
Join Semiahmoo Arts Society, in a promising roundtable discussion with artists who will share how the arts support an inclusive and creative understanding of Asia. This talk aims to entertain but also enlighten our audience with your contribution to this topic.