Cultural Traditions
Check out some cultural traditions important to some members of the Pacific Ties staff, and how we manage to keep in touch with our roots at UCLA.
Movies That Made Me Feel Represented
South Asians are on the big screen – and they are talking about hard topics and providing entertainment for all. Yet, only a portion of the big blockbuster pictures released include South Asian leads. According to a study of movies from 2007-2019 from the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, only 44 out of the 1,300 major films…
Sex Work Portrayal in Bollywood
Growing up, I always watched Bollywood movies because, in some ways, they are designed to fill you with joy. Songs, dance, and colorful costumes fill the screen while melodrama plays out in the background. While I love this genre, it never showed real people—at least, not the big blockbuster movies. When I first saw that…
Thoughts on Being Very Asian
As I scrolled through the news one morning, I saw the phrase “very Asian” on a headline. I immediately shuddered. Without even looking for the context, I felt threatened and upset by this. The words “very Asian” reminded me of times when my “Asian-ness” or “Indian-ness” was highlighted in a way that made me feel…
Celebrate, not Appropriate South Asian Art
The first time I had henna done was on a family trip to Morocco. I remember holding my mother’s hand because I was scared that the cone was a needle. The most important observation I made during this experience was how female-oriented mehndi application is. While everyone, no matter their gender identity, is able to…
Let’s Talk About APIDA Mental Health and the Impact of COVID-19
Mental health is a topic that can be controversial, taboo and contentious within APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American) families, especially as the next generation faces college in a world entrenched in the impacts of COVID-19 and unfamiliar to parents. A 2013 article in the Pacific Ties newsmagazine talks about how the transition to college…