This year's theme continues to build on previous convention themes with the goal of encouraging necessary and difficult conversations that can strengthen research, practice, and advocacy efforts in Asian American mental health. Our theme for this year focuses on individual and community empowerment that centers around (re)claiming space, uplifting our voices, and acknowledging all the intersecting identities that make us unique. Intersectionality is defined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw as “how overlapping or intersecting social identities, particularly minority identities, relate to systems and structures of oppression, domination, or discrimination.” Our hope is that this theme will be a call to action to honor those that inspire us to keep fighting for our values and beliefs while acknowledging the efforts of AAPA’s current and past members.
“Throwing rocks, building bridges” is a tribute to the past, present, and future of AAPA. We stand upon the shoulders of our elders - the ones who have provided the rocks necessary for the current generation to throw. As rock throwers and agitators, the current generation pushes the boundaries necessary to successfully propel AAPA into the future, with the recognition that we are in the same fight. Our elders laid the foundation from where we build the bridges to our common goals. By encouraging members to acknowledge our past and present, we aim to move towards breaking down walls and building bridges between AAPI and other groups, our multiple identities, and subgroups within AAPA in celebration for the future of our organization.
