Celebrating AAPI Month!
What is AAPI?
Asian American Pacific Islander is an umbrella term for people of racially Asian and/or Pacific Islanders who reside within the United States. The term includes people from West, East, South, Southeast, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
History of AAPI
AAPI observes Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage by remembering two important events. One May 7, 1843, the first immigrant from Japan arrived in the U.S. On May 10, 1869, the first U.S. transcontinental railroad was completed. It spanned 1775 miles from Omaha, Nebraska to Sacramento California. without the involvement of Chinese railway workers, this project could not have been completed.
Movements to recognize Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their contributions began in the late 70s. In 1977, Congressmen Frank Horton and Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye attempted to pass resolutions to dedicate the first 10 days of May to AAPIs, but they were not successful. 1978’s attempt called the House Joint Resolution 1007. When it was passed in the House and the Senate, President Jimmy Carter signed it into law. AAPI week eventually became one month when it was extended in 1990 by Congress.
Why we celebrate it
AAPI are the fastest growing ethnicity in the United States. The month acknowledges Asian American and Pacific Islanders and their role in shaping the United States; and this extends beyond history. Many aspects of American culture are contributed by AAPIs including the sciences, art, literature, recreation, politics, and activism. An example is Kamala Harris, the first Asian American woman to become the Vice President.
How to celebrate AAPI
You can discover the world of AAPI media by diving into literature or movies
Check out Barnes & Noble, which offers a large variety of books about AAPI for anyone to enjoy!
If you cannot visit your local bookstore, Goodreads, a book community, is recommending nearly a whooping 2000 AAPI books.
The Asian Author Alliance will be discussing Asian representation with AAPI authors on their YouTube channel throughout May
PBS offers a series on Asian American Pacific Islanders and their stories along with educational research
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month
https://www.cnet.com/culture/aapi-heritage-month-what-it-is-and-what-you-can-do-today/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a35711434/asian-american-pacific-islander-difference-aapi/
