Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is a wonderful time of year. Marking the slow change from Spring to Summer, it welcomes in the warmer weather. But, did you know that May also celebrates two very important topics? Mental Health Awareness, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month are both happening right now. In today’s blog, we’ll be talking about about the latter and how its celebrated. And, also, how you too can support the AAPI community.
What is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a celebration of these different cultures and experiences. In other words, it includes all of the Asian continent and the Pacific Islanders of:
- Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands)
- Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia)
- Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midways Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island).
Starting in congress, in 1977 the Representative Frank Horton of New York introduced a movement. The first ten days in May would be AAPI Heritage Week.
Supported by Senators, this movement was passed. In 1992, Congress introduced another public law which expanded the celebration from a week to a month.
Why May?
May dates the immigration of the first Japanese to the US in May 1843. It also marks the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869. Making up most of the workers, Chinese immigrants laid the tracks of this transportation triumph.
Stories to Celebrate
Throughout May there are lots of AAPI voices to listen to and stories to share. Appreciating these experiences is a great way to celebrate this heritage month.
Veterans
Today, more than 300,000 living AAPI Americans are US veterans. Serving in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq, these brave people risked their lives for others’ safety. Therefore making them pillars of US society.
Astronauts
Contributing to our trips into space, AAPI NASA workers helped the space station to reach beyond the sky. Specifically, one such worker is Dr. Kartik Sheth. He is an astrophysicist who shared his story and discussed his path in a STEM career.
Revolutionaries
Dedicating his life to fighting for for farming-based workers, Larry Itilong himself was a Filipino farm worker. Helping to join Mexican and Mexican-American farm workers, Itilong formed the United Farm Workers.
Looking at the present, Kamala Harris is the first women and first African American and Asian American vice president of the United States. Therefore, the path she has created plays an important role in lifting up the AAPI community.
Remembering the US’s Past
Look at Ansel Adams’ photo series of the Manzanar War Relocation Centre in California and the Japanese-Americans interned there during World War II.
Stories by AAPI Authors
Sometimes non-fictional life stories or fictional retellings are the best way to learn about experiences different to our own. Check out these books by AAPI authors:
- Heart and Seoul by Jen Fredrick tells the story of a Korean adoptee who travels to Korea searching for answers.
- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan shows the history of four Chinese immigrants uniting in shared unspeakable loss.
- Eat a Peach by David Chang and Gabe Ulla is perfect for any food-lover! Learn what makes a chef and how successful modern restaurants are shaped.
- Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu is a personal novel about race, pop culture, immigration, blending in, and escaping the roles we are forced to play.
How to Support Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
Due to the rise in narrow-mindedness and hates crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, it is more important than ever to show support for the AAPI community. Want to know how to help? Here’s where to get started:
- Donate, if you’re able to, to funds that protect and bolster the AAPI community.
- Speak out when you witness hate. Hollaback!’s action plan teaches the fives D’s: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct.
- Report these events to those in charge. Stop AAPI Hate is an online reporting centre.
- Shop at AAPI-owned business. As a result of COVID-19-related racism, there has been a decrease in customers supporting them. Therefore, you should think about getting your groceries from Asian stores. Or, eating at AAPI-owned restaurants.
- Volunteer to chaperone older AAPI residents so they feel safe running errands and going on outings.
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