Red Flags, Green Flags: Navigating Culture, Identity, and Community in APIDA Life

By Diversity Chair Pushpita Hossain

Date & Location: September 15, 2025 | 6:00–7:00 PM | TCC 350
Hosted by: Pushpita Hossain, APASA Diversity Chair

On September 15, 2025, APASA held our first Open General Meeting of the year, and I had the honor of hosting it as this year’s Diversity Chair. I’ll admit I was a little nervous at first. First impressions feel big, and I wasn’t sure how many people would show up. But the room quickly filled with prospective interns, member org representatives, friends, and new faces from across the APIDA community. By the time we started, the turnout was much bigger than I expected, which made me both excited and grateful.

After quick introductions, I shared a bit about myself: I’m Pushpita Hossain (she/her), Bangladeshi American, raised in Connecticut, and someone who is always navigating the intersections of culture, family, identity, and community. That led into the main part of the meeting, a conversation and activity I created called Red Flags, Green Flags.

What is “Red Flags, Green Flags”?

This activity was about opening space to reflect on the contradictions we hold in our cultures, the parts we celebrate and the parts we are still learning to question.

The statements we discussed weren’t meant to label something as good or bad. Instead, they were conversation starters meant to invite honest perspectives, thoughtful disagreement, and even a little humor. Some were lighthearted, others personal, and a few touched on things we often avoid talking about.

A few examples we talked about:

  • Food is a love language

    • Green Flag: Parents showing care through cooking and hospitality.

    • Red Flag: Lack of verbal affection, avoiding tough conversations, apologies without words.

  • Family comes first, no matter what

    • Green Flag: Loyalty, belonging, and a strong support system.

    • Red Flag: Guilt when pursuing independence, pressure to prioritize family over personal growth.

  • We don’t talk about feelings, we show love through actions

    • Green Flag: Recognizing sacrifices and hard work as acts of love.

    • Red Flag: Emotional disconnection, difficulty addressing mental health, distance in parent-child relationships.

Each statement brought out different reactions. People laughed, nodded, and shared stories that showed just how complex these experiences can be. What stood out most was how willing everyone was to be open and honest.

Why it Matters

Through this activity, we touched on themes like:

  • Generational trauma and resilience

  • Family dynamics and cultural expectations

  • Internalized racism and colorism

  • Queerness and silence in cultural spaces

  • Language loss and reclamation

  • Pressure to succeed

  • Pride in heritage and identity

The goal wasn’t to agree on everything, but to connect. 

I closed the meeting with this thought: contradictions can coexist. Culture is complex, and growth often comes from leaning into these conversations.

Hosting this GM reminded me why I wanted to serve as Diversity Chair. I want APASA to be a space where honesty, vulnerability, and care come together. A space where we can laugh, reflect, and question things together.

The energy and openness at this first meeting set the tone for the year. I’m excited to keep creating spaces where our community feels seen, heard, and celebrated.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and made this first GM so meaningful. <3


Pushpita Hossain 

APASA 25-26 Diversity Chair

USC APASA