May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI). This month is dedicated to celebrating the cultural heritage, diverse histories, and significant contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The AAPI is an umbrella term that includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast, and South Asia, and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

Today, there will be some fun activities and other surprises happening related to AAPI, and opportunities to recognise their impact on history, culture, and progress.

The month of May was chosen for two reasons. On May 7th, 1943, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in the United States; a young man named Manjiro. May also is the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Most of the workers were Chinese immigrants, who laid the tracks and were exposed to and responsible for heavy and dangerous manual labour tasks.

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is not just about recognising their contributions, but also about the ongoing challenges and issues faced by AAPI communities today. Asian-Americans as well as Asians in other Western countries still face xenophobia, racism, bias, and violence. AAPI is intended to show the importance of diversity, equity, and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone, however, we should always strive to make sure these values cross over into every month of the year. 

There are many ways we can participate in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, across the globe you can find events, cultural festivals, art exhibitions, and more. Have a look around your city and find an event you’d be interested to learn more about, or if you prefer staying at home, take part in some personal reflection and education. Read a book from an Asian author or watch a movie or documentary that explores AAPI experiences. 

With the events that will happen throughout the day, we want to bring attention to and celebrate the rich cultures.

Here is the overview of activities planned throughout the day

4pm: Come join in on the Asian Cuisine Appreciation

6.30pm: Show off your best looks in our Dress-up competition

8pm: Test your knowledge of Asia and the Pacific Islands in a Fun Fact competition!

If you want to learn more, check out these resources below. Our amazing volunteers have also made some topics dedicated to the month, which you can check out here and here.

Literature:

Three thousand miles from Chang An (长安三万里）(Tang dynasty / poetry)

Wild Swans (Three generations of chinese women)

Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee (godfather meets kung fu)

Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-yu ('humoristic' educational literary ficiton)

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (high sapphic fantasy)

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (YA, family, gay mc)

Media:

Flavorful Origins (Food documentary)

76 Days (Covid in Wuhan at the frontline)

All in my family (A gay filmmaker comes out  to his Chinese parents)

We Were Smart (Documentary on Shamate subculture)

Everything Everywhere All at Once (Movie)

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (Movie)

Minari (Movie)