Indiana Field Hockey Recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
5/31/2022 12:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
Throughout May, the Indiana Field Hockey program has reflected on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
The month bears special significance to Indiana Field Hockey head coach Kayla Bashore and assistant coach Dani Castro, both are members of the AAPI community.
Bashore is entering her fourth season as head coach of the program and Castro will be in her fourth season as an assistant. Both are IU Field Hockey alums, as well. Together, they make up one of the most diverse coaching staffs in collegiate field hockey, both in the Big Ten conference and the NCAA.
"I think we have to recognize how rare it is to have two members of the AAPI community be college coaches of a sport that is predominately white in America," Castro said. "As a Pacific Islander, it is a triumphant accomplishment."
To Castro, AAPI month's purpose is multifaceted ––– it can serve as an acknowledgment, a celebration, and a pause.
Naturally, each of those aspects lead to learning and education over rich, but lesser-known history.
"Because of this, we must celebrate its uniqueness, not just for one month, but for all the months," Castro said. "I am not always a coach, but I am always a Pacific Islander, 365 days of the year."
Although AAPI month provides opportunities for empowerment, the moments of pause it prompts can be hard, too. The AAPI community faces a unique set of challenges such as the model minority myth, an increase in Anti-Asian violence, and the perpetual foreigner stereotype, among others.
While the challenges are extremely difficult, they serve as reminders to AAPI month's importance and need for recognition. Only through continual education and discussion will these challenges be overcome.
Bashore and Castro are thankful for the platform AAPI month gives and the space IU provides to discuss.
"This month is an opportunity to tell our stories and celebrate our significant contributions to the world," Castro said.
The month bears special significance to Indiana Field Hockey head coach Kayla Bashore and assistant coach Dani Castro, both are members of the AAPI community.
Bashore is entering her fourth season as head coach of the program and Castro will be in her fourth season as an assistant. Both are IU Field Hockey alums, as well. Together, they make up one of the most diverse coaching staffs in collegiate field hockey, both in the Big Ten conference and the NCAA.
"I think we have to recognize how rare it is to have two members of the AAPI community be college coaches of a sport that is predominately white in America," Castro said. "As a Pacific Islander, it is a triumphant accomplishment."
To Castro, AAPI month's purpose is multifaceted ––– it can serve as an acknowledgment, a celebration, and a pause.
Naturally, each of those aspects lead to learning and education over rich, but lesser-known history.
"Because of this, we must celebrate its uniqueness, not just for one month, but for all the months," Castro said. "I am not always a coach, but I am always a Pacific Islander, 365 days of the year."
Although AAPI month provides opportunities for empowerment, the moments of pause it prompts can be hard, too. The AAPI community faces a unique set of challenges such as the model minority myth, an increase in Anti-Asian violence, and the perpetual foreigner stereotype, among others.
While the challenges are extremely difficult, they serve as reminders to AAPI month's importance and need for recognition. Only through continual education and discussion will these challenges be overcome.
Bashore and Castro are thankful for the platform AAPI month gives and the space IU provides to discuss.
"This month is an opportunity to tell our stories and celebrate our significant contributions to the world," Castro said.
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