ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH 2023
May 01, 2023 - Announcements
Dear AMDA Community,
As we all dive deeper into a busy spring on campus, we invite you to engage in honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. May is the annual month-long celebration meant to highlight the many achievements and significant contributions of the AAPI community.
May was originally chosen for AAPI Heritage Month because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843. And it signifies Golden Spike Day, May 10, 1869, which marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad, a project made successful in large part by many mistreated Chinese workers.
We owe a debt of gratitude for the establishment of AAPI Heritage Month to former Capitol Hill staffer Jeanie Jew and Ruby Hoy, Congressman Frank Horton’s former Chief of Staff. In 1976 Jew witnessed the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations and noting a lack of recognition given to Asian Pacific Americans she asked Moy if Horton would propose a meaningful way to address this oversight.
Thanks to the efforts of Jew and Moy along with Horton, in 1978, Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was acknowledged. But it wouldn’t be until 1992, when President George H.W. Bush would sign legislation Horton introduced, annually designating May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (later to be renamed Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 2009).
Did You Know?
Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month was able to exist due to traction from the civil rights movement in the 70s; they were able to find momentum because of Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) has selected the theme “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity" for 2023.
For ways to support and to learn more about AAPI Heritage Month and exhibits/creative work showcasing the many achievements of the diverse AAPI community we recommend the following:
https://asianpacificheritage.gov/exhibits-and-collections/
https://www.nypl.org/events/aanhpi-heritage-month
https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/things-to-do/celebrate-aapi-heritage-month-in-los-angeles
As always, we encourage solidarity in action and would like to share the following resources:
Stop AAPI Hate
The coalition tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
A People’s History of Asian America
PBS
Opinion: In the Outrage Over Discrimination, How Do We Define 'Asian American'?
NBC News: Think
The Asian American Foundation
To serve the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in their pursuit of belonging and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence.
We look forward to learning, elevating and celebrating together.
In community,
John L. Galgano - Chief Operating Officer/ Chief of Staff
Chianti C. Blackmon - Vice President of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion