AAPI Heritage Month: Honoring the AAPI Community
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Welcome to May! This month is full of celebrations, including Mother’s Day, the end of the school year for many, and Memorial Day. It is also the time of year when the United States recognizes Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month honors the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout our country's history.
The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that supports the interests of thousands of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander employees in the Federal and District of Columbia governments. Each year, FAPAC selects the theme for the AAPI Heritage Month observance. The theme for 2023 is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.”
In an interview with NPR during the May 2022 observance, Fahmida Chhipa, FAPAC's vice president, said, "When you have diversity at the leadership table, the magnitude of what you can accomplish is enormous. You really expand yourself in the horizons to have something creative and innovative."
Why do we recognize AAPI Heritage?
The history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States is complex and varied, marked by waves of immigration, discrimination, and resilience. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Asian immigrants faced significant discrimination and exclusionary laws, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited Chinese immigrants from entering the US. And in 1907, Japanese immigration was restricted by a?“Gentlemen’s Agreement”?between the US and Japan. Despite these challenges, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made significant contributions to many areas of American life, including science, technology, literature, art, and sports.
The celebration of AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. It also gives us a chance to acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and to highlight the need for greater awareness and allyship to support these communities.
What is the history of AAPI Heritage Month?
Congressman Frank Horton first introduced legislation to celebrate the heritage and culture of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in 1977. His legislation was based on a proposal from Jeanie Jew, a former Capitol Hill staffer. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the Asian Pacific American Heritage Week into law, and the first celebration was held May 4-10, 1979. The dates were selected to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843. May is also significant because it recognizes Golden Spike Day (May 10, 1869), marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was built with significant contributions from Chinese workers.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush Over time signed legislation that extended the week-long celebration to the full month of May and changed the name to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This action reflected the growing recognition and appreciation of the diverse and rich cultural heritage of these communities across the country.
The celebration of AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States.
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Who is included in the AAPI Community?
“AAPI is meant to be an inclusive term to define the umbrella group of people who can trace their roots to the continent of Asia or the island nations of the continent of Oceania,” says?Kevin Nadal, Ph.D., the author of?Filipino American Psychology?and a professor at the City University of New York who researches multicultural issues in psychology and education.
The community encompasses cultures?from the entire Asian continent – including East, Southeast, and South Asia – and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. In 2021, Pew Research Center reported that there were almost 23 million people?of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the US, making up 7% of the nation’s current population. Their numbers nearly doubled in representation between 2000 and 2020, making AAPI the most rapidly growing ethnic group in the country, with expectations to increase to over 46 million individuals by 2060.
How do we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month?
Many organizations and communities host cultural events, exhibitions, and festivals that showcase the rich heritage and diversity of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. These events serve as an opportunity for people to learn more about their experiences and contributions and to celebrate their achievements.
For example, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta is hosting activities all month long, highlighting Asian American leaders in science, art, and innovation. In Houston, Texas, the Asia Society Texas offers 31 ways to celebrate the vibrant and diverse traditions and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans. ?
AAPI Heritage Month is a reminder of these peoples’ diverse and rich cultural heritage and the ongoing challenges they face. Taking time to raise awareness and uplift these communities helps us remember that we all play a part in working towards greater inclusivity and understanding in our society.
We hope that you will find inspiration to celebrate Asian Pacific American heritage, and to help promote greater inclusivity and understanding in our society, throughout the month of May and beyond.
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Resources and References
Here are links to resources and references from the article that can help you explore more about AAPI Heritage Month.