Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2023
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast, and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, there were about 20.6 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, AAPI people are a diverse and growing population that makeup about 7 percent of the total U.S. population. AAPI Heritage Month 2023 will take place from Monday, May 1 to Wednesday, May 31.
Origins of AAPI Heritage Month
The effort to officially recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander contributions to the United States began in the late 1970s and took over 10 years to make it a permanent month-long celebration.
In 1977, New York representative Frank Horton introduced House Joint Resolution 540, which proposed proclaiming the first 10 days of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye introduced a similar joint resolution the same year. When the resolutions did not pass, Representative Horton introduced House Joint Resolution 1007 the following year, which requested the president to proclaim a week during the first 10 days of May starting in 1979, including May 7 and 10, as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.
After the House and the Senate passed the Resolution, President Jimmy Carter signed it into Public Law 95-419 on October 5, 1978. From 1980 to 1990, each president passed annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1990, Congress expanded the observance from a week to a month. May was annually designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992 under the George H. W. Bush administration with the passing of Public Law 102-540. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was renamed as AAPI Heritage Month in 2009.
Why Do We Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month?
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed significantly to many facets of American culture and society, including science and medicine, literature and art, sports and recreation, government and politics, and activism and law. In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first Asian American Vice President of the United States. In film history, AAPI people, stories, and traditions have become more visible with South Korean director Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019 and the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, debuting Marvel’s first Asian superhero.
AAPI people have a long history in the United States, despite the stereotype that they are “perpetual foreigners,” the idea that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are inherently foreign, other, and not truly American. According to the Bering Land Bridge Theory, Asians first migrated to what is now known as North America over 15,000 years ago through a land bridge between Asia and North America.
In the 16th century, Filipinos who were escaping forced labor and enslavement during the Spanish galleon trade immigrated to North America, eventually establishing a settlement in St. Malo, Louisiana in 1763. During the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, a wave of Asian immigrants came to the West Coast and provided labor for gold mines, factories, and the transcontinental railroad. In 1882, Congress enacted the Chinese Exclusion Act, which banned Chinese immigration for 20 years.
Japanese and Koreans began immigrating to the United States by 1885 to replace Chinese labor in railroad construction, farming, and fishing. However, in 1907, Japanese immigration was restricted by a “Gentlemen’s Agreement” between the United States and Japan. The civil rights movement assisted in the liberalization of immigration laws. The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act changed restrictive national origin quotas and allowed for large numbers of Asians and Pacific Islanders to come to the United States with their families. In the mid-1970s, refugees from Southeast Asia like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos came to the United States to flee war, violence, and hardship.
Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing racial group in the United States. AAPI Heritage Month celebrates the unique journey of all AAPI immigrants and citizens in the United States and their unique life experiences, traditions, and cultures.
Anti-Asian Racism
Since their immigration to the United States, Asians have been met with xenophobia, racism, bias, and violence. Chinese workers were abused, robbed, and murdered in San Francisco in the 1850s. In 1854, the California Supreme Court ruled in People v. Hall that people of Asian descent could not testify against a white person in court, meaning that white people could avoid punishment for anti-Asian crimes.
During World War II, from 1942-1945, people of Japanese descent were incarcerated in internment camps across the nation. In 1982, Chinese American Vincent Chin was murdered by two white men in Detroit because they believed Asians were taking auto industry jobs from whites. In March 2021, a man shot and murdered six women of Asian descent at three spas in the Atlanta area.
COVID-19 And AAPI
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, racist and xenophobic rhetoric about the origins of the virus led to a spike in anti-Asian racism and violence, with AAPI people of all ages and cultures being verbally and physically harassed and murdered in cities across the United States. As a response to the rise in anti-Asian violence, the AAPI Equity Alliance, Chinese for Affirmative Action, and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate coalition on March 19, 2020. The coalition tracks and responds to violence, hate, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and bullying of AAPI people.
In January 2021, the White House released a “Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States,” acknowledging their role in furthering xenophobic sentiments and proposing ways to prevent discrimination, harassment, bullying, and hate crimes against AAPI individuals.
AAPI Month 2023 Theme
According to the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the theme for AAPI Heritage Month 2023 is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” The FAPAC encourages local and national governments to prioritize providing opportunities to people in the AAPI community to refine their skills and enhance their leadership abilities.
Why the Date of AAPI Heritage Month is Significant
The month of May was chosen for AAPI Heritage Month because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843. May is also a significant month because it recognizes Golden Spike Day, May 10, 1869, which marks the completion of the transcontinental railroad that was built with significant contributions from Chinese workers.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and significant contributions of the AAPI community to the United States. It serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by AAPI individuals, including the history of anti-Asian racism and the ongoing fight against discrimination. AAPI Heritage Month recognizes the achievements and resilience of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders while promoting inclusivity and unity.
Origin of AAPI
The origins of AAPI Heritage Month trace back to the late 1970s when efforts were made to officially acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Over the years, the observance evolved from a week-long celebration to a month-long recognition. The journey to establish AAPI Heritage Month involved the introduction of resolutions, the passage of laws, and the support of presidents. It is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of individuals and communities in advocating for their heritage.
The celebration of AAPI Heritage Month is significant because it sheds light on the rich tapestry of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and their impact on American society. From arts and literature to science and politics, AAPI individuals have made remarkable contributions in various fields. Their achievements highlight the importance of diversity and cultural exchange in shaping the United States as a nation.
Challenges Faced By AAPI
Unfortunately, the AAPI community has also faced a long history of discrimination and prejudice. From discriminatory laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, the AAPI population has endured hardships and injustices. Recent incidents of anti-Asian violence and hate crimes have highlighted the need to address racism and xenophobia.
In response to these challenges, organizations like the Stop AAPI Hate coalition have emerged to track and combat acts of violence and discrimination against AAPI individuals. The support and solidarity from communities and the recognition of the White House have brought attention to the importance of addressing and combating anti-Asian racism.
The theme for AAPI Heritage Month 2023, “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity,” emphasizes the need to provide opportunities for growth and leadership within the AAPI community. By creating an environment that fosters skill development and empowerment, society can uplift and amplify the voices of AAPI individuals, allowing them to thrive and contribute further to the nation.
Why MAY ??
The choice of May as the month for AAPI Heritage Month holds historical significance. It commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States, marking an important milestone in Asian American history. Additionally, May recognizes Golden Spike Day, symbolizing the completion of the transcontinental railroad with the invaluable contributions of Chinese workers. These historical events serve as reminders of the enduring legacy and resilience of the AAPI community.
Final Words
AAPI Heritage Month is a time to honor and appreciate the diverse cultures, accomplishments, and experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It serves as an opportunity to address the challenges faced by the AAPI community, promote inclusivity, and celebrate their contributions to the United States. By recognizing the past, advocating for the present, and fostering opportunities for the future, AAPI Heritage Month encourages unity, understanding, and progress.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast, and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, there were about 20.6 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander descent in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, AAPI people are a diverse and growing population that makeup about 7 percent of the total U.S. population. AAPI Heritage Month 2023 will take place from Monday, May 1 to Wednesday, May 31.
