Get excited—May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Image from https://asianpacificheritage.gov/
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a period during which the United States celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and history. Originally taking place for only the first ten days of May (known as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week, the first of which occurred in 1979), this tradition was extended to the full month of May in 1990. Why May? When the month of recognition was first designated, Congress decided on May, as the first immigrants from Japan came to America on May 7th, 1843, and as the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, in which the Chinese served a great and important role, took place on May 10th, 1869.
During this month of celebration, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are recognized for their contributions to the various aspects of American culture, including the arts, the sciences, and government, and are honored for their enriching of America’s past, present, and future. As we revel in the month of May, we encourage you to peruse our site and learn more about famous Chinese-Americans who have shaped American society as we know it! For example, Lucy Liu and Vera Wang have both played integral roles in the American entertainment and fashion industries. Additionally, I. M. Pei, an influential and inspirational Chinese-American architect, is the powerhouse behind not only American masterpieces, but also international ones, including the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, France. It was he who had once said, “Success is a collection of problems solved”—a quote not only characteristic of architecture, but of life as a whole.
I hope you are as enthusiastic as I am for this month of pride and honor for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders! Let us know your thoughts on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the comments below. Until next time!
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Pacific_American_Heritage_Month
https://asianpacificheritage.gov/
Powerful Quotes In Honor Of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
我觉得文化是一个很重要的东西，对于这个，我的看法是支持的，就像他说的一样，a quote not only characteristic of architecture, but of life as a whole.
I really like this article. I found it very interesting to learn about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I never actually heard about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month before this article.
Wow, didn’t know there was a month after us. Cool!
I had no idea that there was an Asian American heritage month… interesting!
I’ve heard about this month before, and it’s great how it’s a time of pride and honor!
I didn’t know there was an Asian American Heritage month – that’s pretty interesting!
Growing up in a predominantly non-Asian community, I was always ashamed of my heritage and background. I’m so lucky to be currently living in a community that is diverse and accepting. Coming from Japanese and Chinese descent, I’m extremely proud that Asian Ameican and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is held in May. Asian culture is so rich and full of noteworthy accomplishments that one can’t help but to be proud of their heritage. Though it’s coming to an end, I’m inspired by all the Asians that have been celebrated during Asain American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Amazing article!
You changed how I view the world…………………well written passage, I have no complain
Caroline, it is ever so important in our time to reflect on our diversity of cultures and peoples throughout our area. Now, we are able to celebrate the people who make our world so unique and special to live in. This article has given me the opportunity to reflect on my heritage, just as I learn about someone else’s distinct culture. Throughout the rest of the month, we should not only treat these individuals with respect and reverence, but ask them about their culture and strike up a conversation with them about who they are. What a great experience reading this article, and I eagerly await for your next ones.
Times are changing. The Asian culture is integrating more and more into American society. Take Jericho for example: it seems like half of the students have Asian heritage. This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month really shows how people are becoming more accepting to the culture. I’m proud to represent this culture and to be studying it further. Wonderful article!
I definitely think that it is important to have times to recognize asian and pacific islander achievenments. Many times, I think that people don’t recognize Asian oppression over history, which is an issue. The impacts of Asian stereotypes still plague our society today with discrimination in Hollywood, the media, etc. and I think we as a society have a moral obligation to fix this. However, I think that important figures like Lucy Liu, Vera Wang, and IM Pei are so important to be role models for young Asian-Americans.
I definitely think that it is important to have times to recognize asian and pacific islander achievenments. Many times, I think that people don’t recognize Asian oppression over history, which is an issue. The impacts of Asian stereotypes still plague our society today with discrimination in Hollywood, the media, etc. and I think we as a society have a moral obligation to fix this. However, I think that important figures like Lucy Liu, Vera Wang, and IM Pei are so important to be role models for young Asian-Americans.
Growing up in a Korean-American family, I am so happy to learn that there is a month dedicated to celebrating the contributions that Asian-Americans have made to our society! I think this shows the changing times of how people are becoming more accepting to different cultures. I also like how Congress decided to make Asian-American month in May in honor of the Japanese immigration and the completion of the railroad. I also found it so amazing that an architect named I.M Pei designed the Louvre! Before reading this article, I didn’t even know there was a month dedicated to celebrating Asian-Americans! Thank you for sharing!
I had only become aware that Asian American and Pacific Islander month existed only last year. This year I am a junior, and taking APUSH, and when learning about Asian immigrants, there is more of a focus on the discrimination they faced, rather than the accomplishments and bravery they had in coming to a country with a completely different culture. In light of that, reading this article and finding out how this month of celebration came to be makes me feel very happy to know how much Asian-Americans have accomplished in America, and instills a sense of pride in me as an Asian-American. I am happy to find out that Congress made the month of May the month of Asian-American and Pacific Islanders to honor Japanese immigrants and the Chinese workers who played an integral part in building the Transcontinental Railroad. As an Asian-American, I feel very lucky to have been able to live in an area with many other Asian-Americans who I am able to relate to, and I am very glad that this month exists.
Wow what an interesting article! I happen to grow up in a mostly Asian family. It’s great to know that there a time period dedicated to celebrate for the Asian cause. I also found it surprising as to how impactful the Asian society is to our community. Before reading this, I wouldn’t have even known this existed. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, I didn’t know that there was an entire month celebrating Asian contributions. I also love that Congress decided to recognize the entire month for this tradition rather than just the first 10 days. I didn’t know that I. M. Pei had designed so many famous buildings, such as the Louvre in Paris! Thanks for sharing!
It is great to recognize the many Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have made great contributions to American culture. Whether it be in the arts, the sciences, or the government, we honor their amazing work. Your article was inspiring and it made me want to learn more. I especially liked the quote your used. Great job.
I didn’t know that there was an Asian American and Pacific Islander celebration month! I think it is great that there is a concept to celebrate Asian americans living in the United States. It is important to recognize how much the Asian american community has contributed to the United States. I hope to learn more about the celebrations and events that happen during this month in the future.
Learning new things everyday! Wow, I didn’t know there was an Asian AMerican and Paciic Islander celebration month. My question is how do we celebrate during those 10 days? I hope all the Asian Americans during this period could take breaks in school and workplaces. If this ever happens, that would be the coolest thing ever. Thanks for sharing this information!I will look forward to more of your postings.
Every ethnic group deserves to be recognized, as they came to this country as immigrants and contributed to the development of America. With the stereotypes and “unintentional” discrimination still being prevalent in this society, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders should definitely be recognized. In this time of the month, the descendants of the immigrants should reflect upon their past, present, and future to discover what we can do to make this world a better place to live for our posterity.