On Friday, February 28, the McGill School of Population and Global Health’s (SPGH) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDI-AR) group, in collaboration with graduate and undergraduate students from the fields of epidemiology, public health and sociology, hosted a screening and panel discussion to celebrate Asian cultural heritage.
Organized and led by students Ben Yeoh, Maya Côté, Xin Yuan Emily Zhang, Inaara Ismail, and Anglena Sarwar, this was the first event at the SPGH dedicated to Asian Heritage, providing a space to spark dialogue on Asian-Canadian community resilience, cultural preservation, and advocacy. More than 70 people attended a screening of Big Fight in Little Chinatown and participated in an engaging discussion with the film’s director Karen Cho and lawyer and activist May Chiu.
Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying rise in anti-Asian racism, the documentary delved into the lives of residents, businesses and community organizers whose neighbourhoods are facing active erasure. The film explores how Chinatowns across North America are confronting displacement and gentrification while showcasing community resistance and resilience.
During the panel discussion, Cho and Chiu reflected on the importance of community advocacy and the future of cultural spaces amidst these challenges. Attendees participated in a thought-provoking conversation about advocacy and allyship, Asian identity through different generations, and the significance of preserving cultural heritage sites like Chinatown in the face of adversity.
This event was made possible through the efforts of the EDI-AR lead at School of Population and Global Health, Ananya Banerjee, PhD, Interim Associate Dean and School Director, Eduardo Franco, PhD, and the School of Population and Global Health staff. The EDI-AR student group was also grateful to Vinh’s Café for providing dinner during the event.