Asian Club recently changed their name to Chinese and Asian Culture Club in accordance with the school administration.

According to Principal John Arlotta the name change was decided in the interest to further develop the Chinese language program.

In contrast, the Spanish, French and Latin language programs have their own respective clubs that allow students to learn about the languages and not the regions that they come from. The change in name was approved in hopes for a stronger focus on the Chinese language.

Despite it’s good intentions, however, the name change has its consequences.

The continent of Asia holds 48 countries, all with their own distinct cultures and histories. A club such as Asian club should try to encompass these different cultures but with the name change, we end up singling out one culture and forgetting about the rest.

Even now, Asian Club already puts an emphasis on East Asian cultures, especially Japanese. During the multicultural festival, origami pieces and traditional Japanese candies are sold. Popular video games and anime tv shows, many of which are Japanese, are displayed.

As of right now it wouldn’t make sense for a club that focuses on a particular culture to stick another culture’s name onto its title.

Furthermore, instead of delving even deeper into East Asian cultures the club should instead try to include more West, South and Southeast Asian influences. But changing the name of the club restricts that inclusion.

The solution so far is to wait until the club gains enough members in order to split into two separate clubs: Asian Club and Chinese Club. But just as the name itself is repetitive, having two different clubs is unnecessary.

All in all, keeping the original name wouldn’t bar members from learning about the Chinese language so Chinese and Asian Culture Club should drop the repetitiveness and stay as one club.