Sudha Acharya, founder and executive director of the South Asian Council for Social Services, joins Cheddar News to talk about President Biden signing H.R. 3525 and what it would mean for the AAPI community. 

Between Bells

President Biden Signs Bill to Create Commission Studying AAPI Museum

Welcome back between bells last month, President biden signed into law the commission to study the potential creation of a National museum of asian pacific american history and culture act, the legislation creates an eight member commission to study how to make an asian pacific american museum a reality in Washington including whether it should be part of the Smithsonian institute joining us now is Sudha Acharya, founder and executive director of South Asian Council for Social Services. Welcome to the show suit. Ha you were there for the signing. Talk about that moment and what it meant for you to be there. It was exciting because you know, I we felt that it was long time coming and it was, you know, it was good to be there to see so much support for it. And uh, as President Kamala Harris introduced President biden and he signed it and there were more than anything it was created and pushed forward by our own congresswoman Grace Meng, she's from queens. And so we're doubly proud that it happened. So it was rather exciting. Yes, congresswoman Meng has been on this show several times. I love that she was there with you guys. What do you hope that comes out of this National museum soda? You know, we feel that the Asian Abia community is really not understood and when you think about the high headlands which are happening, I think this comes out out of not understanding the community with a community of multiple, multiple uh countries of origin, multiple languages. We feel that this is a validation of our identity. So when the, when the museum comes, maybe people will, when they know about the contributions other patients have made and their history, maybe that will take care of, you know, the hate crimes are probably that lesson. You know, being south Asian myself. This really does seem like a validation. I never would have imagined something like this happening. I want to talk about congress back in 2020. Green lighting plans for two new Smithsonian museums, one focused on us Latinos, one focused on women's history. So why is it so important for asian americans and of course pacific Islanders, their stories to finally be told in this country. I don't think it's a question of either or or everybody's history should be there. This country is made up of so many immigrants and so many ethnicities and who all contributed. And I think as a fastest growing community, I think we should, we should be recognized that that our contribution has to be recognized. So I think this should happen as well. It's not a question of either are, you know, yeah, I couldn't agree with you more. I think it's so important for all of our stories to be told, especially in this country. I do want to talk about the rise in asian american hate around the country, really anti asian hate around the world. Can you tell us what some members of this community have been facing in the last few years. It's that they're, they're scared. You know, you we run a food pantry and that could not be stopped during the pandemic because people need to eat right, once we open up and uh the people line up all around our block and they're all asian most creation, we do have others as well, but flushing as you know, is such has such diversity. So they all need food, people have lost jobs, people have lost homes and, you know, like food and security has happened, but they are scared they that is that I think fear rules their lives, so that that's one of the effects. And we've had to um apart from all the things that they've lost, we've had to counsel them, you know, council about these things as well, so support them in those ways. Yes, and we know mental health isn't discussed in these communities, so I think that is so important. I do want to talk about sacks that's been helping underprivileged south asians asians immigrants for several years Now, can you talk about some of the main ways it's empowering the community? So we have three major major, we call them the pillars of sacks, our physical and emotional health, our physical and mental health services and in uh food security and senior support and but we do have legal clinics to help them english and computer classes to make sure They're prepared to take up jobs, right? So civic, of course civic awareness is very important, participation is very important. So these are the things we focus. So you've been so influential and active in the community for the last 40 years, thank you for everything you do. How did you become such a big supporter for the api community? Well, I'm one myself. So naturally, you know, you see uh and actually sacks was started because people did not know at that time they said we focus on South asians, of course they didn't speak the language, they needed the basic services, right? Like, so when they don't know the language, they cannot ask for services that they really need And I think there are basic services like healthcare access, right? And as you've said rightly so, mental health services like like counseling and for a place to go where you trust. The place we speak, 19 languages, 12 South Asian and others like Mandarin and Cantonese and several at this rate including spanish, right, and Hakka, so if they, if you know their language you can speak to them and they think that they, they, you know their culture, they trust you, then they come to you, it becomes a haven for them very quickly. So if people want to help or donate, what can they do? Oh, uh let's say is uh sacks www dot Saks S A CSS dot ny dot org. So uh please support all community organizations and especially thank you so much for coming on and everything you do every single day. Sudha Acharya, founder and executive director of South Asian Council for Social Services and we really appreciate your time.