Inclusion and exclusion: Asian American Pacific islander month, and Norwich Events

While May is recognized as Asian American pacific islander heritage month, the city of Norwich has zero events for this, but multiple events for Haitian heritage month, which is not federally, but nationally recognized. Asian American Pacific islander month is a United States recognized cultural month.

Norwich Bulletin started to present several articles (spoonfed, propaganda) about local Haitian businesses and Haitian heritage month events with nothing for Asian Americans when clearly, AAPI heritage month is nationally and federally recognized in the United States.

Upon further investigation, we discovered there were absolutely no events to celebrate Asians, but there were Haitian heritage month events at the library, a flag raising at the Town hall, and multiple other events around town.

There is a large population of Asians in this area, but no community center. Since the Haitians have a community center and a louder voice, they are being celebrated rather than Asian Americans.

Upon further investigation, and contact with the Norwich bulletin, the matter was forwarded it to Norwich global city, which is a nonprofit.

The bulletin would not even post information that there was nothing happening for Asian American Pacific Islander month, which seems like news, but perhaps their advertisers wouldn’t be too happy about the systemic racism. Or maybe they’re trying to hide it.

I spoke with Bobbie and really she’s a lot of talk and no action. That being said, maybe she’s busy with all the heritage month events happening for the Haitians! She had plenty of time for them!! 

In the month of May the Norwich bulletin has provided information about events for Haitian heritage month - multiple articles about the Haitians in the community, depression month, and events at the casino with zero coverage for Asians as of May 23.

Even after bringing up the topic of the lack of Asian coverage, the Norwich bulletin reporter never directly contacted this reporter, not even as a courtesy, but passed the buck to global city.

Global city made excuses and accusations, such as why are you angry at Haitians? There is racism against Asians in this town, that’s clear. When elementary children use derogatory language towards their programming teacher, and her assistant from the high school and don’t think anything is wrong with it, and have no consequences… That should tell you something.

 The low level tactics being used against citizens in this town when they question the systemic racism against a certain culture is absolutely unacceptable.
In the first place, a third party nonprofit absolutely should not be the organizing force for events wherein they can represent certain cultures and not others. 

A third party should not be managing the cultural events for the town.

Additionally, that third-party should not require a Culture approach them for celebrating a federally recognized month.

The process is broken and leadership needs to change. There is a lack of accountability, and while we understand that global city is a nonprofit with limited resources, this should have no bearing on our city offices and library doing absolutely nothing unless global city manages this or initiate the process. Imagine if other cultures were not celebrated or recognized during their month.

We, the citizens of Norwich deserve better from Leadership. We demand it. Celebrate all cultures. Not just a select few.

I suppose we should see what happens next year.  It’s very disappointing. 

Another disappointment from the bulletin is their ongoing casino promotion, and images displayed in their article posts on Facebook. This week they posted this one, degrading to women. This is a travesty.

The following image is a Facebook post by Norwich bulletin this week. When listing events for the casino.  This image did not need to be prominent, and is sensual in nature.

below is a parody of the Norwich bulletin