In the month of May, we take the time to celebrate the achievements and honor the contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. This month can also be a time for everyone to educate themselves about the different cultures and their histories. Join us in a month filled with fun competitions, shop drops & more!
Table of contents:
- AAPI Heritage Month: History
- Achievements and Contributions
- Cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation
- Challenges faced by the AAPI communities
- Model minority myth and why it's harmful
- Spotlight on current events
Summary at the bottom
AAPI Heritage Month: History
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, also known as AAPI, is celebrated in May. The month was officially designated in the U.S. in 1992, but its origins go back to 1978. May was chosen to commemorate:
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On May 7th 1843, the first known Japanese immigrant (Nakahama Manjirō) came to the United States.
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On May 10th 1869, the first Transcontinental Railroad was finished, built largely by Chinese laborers under grueling and dangerous conditions.
AAPI Heritage Month started off as Asian Pacific American heritage week, and it wasn't until 1992 that the congress permanently extended it to a monthly celebration. As of 2021, the name also officially changed to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Achievements and Contributions
Historical figures
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Dalip Singh Saund: The first Indian and Asian American and Sikh (Indian religion) elected to the United States Congress in the 1956 election. His election inspired AAPI representation in politics.
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Patsy Mink: The first Japanese and Asian American, woman of color elected to the United States Congress in the 1964 election. Patsy is also known for her work on legislation advancing women's rights and education.
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Ellison Onizuka: The first Japanese and Asian American astronaut and engineer from Kealakekua (Hawaii) to fly to space!
Entertainment and media industry
Media portrayals influence how we see ourselves and others. For decades, AAPI characters were either absent or heavily stereotyped, but that is slowly changing.
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Michelle Yeoh, the first Asian American woman who won an Oscar Award for Best Actress in her leading role in the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once.
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Auliʻi Cravalho, the first native Hawaiian to play Disney's first Pacific Islander princess in Moana.
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Simu Liu is a Chinese-Canadian actor known for his breakthrough role as Shang-Chi in the Marvel film "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," marking him as the first Asian lead in a Marvel movie.
Politics
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Kamala D. Harris made history as the first woman, African and South-Asian American Vice President of the United States.
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Andrew Kim won in the 2024 general election and became the first Korean-American in the Senate and the first Asian-American US senator.
There are so many more achievements to be proud of and in many different categories, these are just a few examples. There are so many unique traditions, languages, religions and cultures and we hope that in this month we can inspire you all to learn more!
Cultural Appreciation vs. Cultural Appropriation
Cultural appreciation is about learning and honoring a culture with respect, while at the same time acknowledging its origins and significance.
Cultural appropriation often involves borrowing elements (like traditional clothes, symbols, or language) without truly understanding them, especially when the culture being borrowed from has historically been marginalized.
For example:
Wearing a qipao, hanbok, or sari for aesthetic purposes without context or a basic understanding of its traditional significance may come off as disrespectful.
Mimicking accents or using “Asian-coded” slang for humor can reinforce harmful stereotypes.
Challenges faced by the AAPI communities
- A surge in hate crimes, including verbal harassment, violence and discrimination, has been reported as of late, particularly since the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information:
https://stopaapihate.org/2021/05/20/press-statement-aapi-womens-report/ - AAPIs are less likely to seek mental health support compared to other racial groups, with a higher percentage of those with mental illness not receiving adequate treatment, mainly due language barriers, cultural differences, and a lack of culturally competent mental health services.
Information:
https://mhanational.org/position-statements/asian-american-pacific-islander-communities-and-mental-health/ - The lack of a common language among AAPI individuals can hinder advocacy efforts and limit participation in political activism.
The Model Minority Myth
This myth suggests that all Asians are high-achieving, wealthy, and successful, and it’s a harmful stereotype.
While it might sound positive on the surface, it erases the diversity and struggles within AAPI communities. It also pits AAPI folks against other marginalized groups and silences those facing real hardships.
Not all Asian or Pacific Islander experiences are identical. Recognizing that helps us build better allyship and understanding.
Spotlight on current events
Rising sea levels threaten entire island nations like Tuvalu and Kiribati.
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Support climate organizations run by Indigenous and Pacific Islander voices
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Reduce plastic consumption & carbon footprint
Ongoing violence and human rights violations in Myanmar continue since the 2021 military coup.
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Donate to organizations like Mutual Aid Myanmar
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Follow accounts that spread awareness (@justiceformyanmar.org on Facebook)
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Support Burmese creators and business owners
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@deedeeburmesevlog
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@frontline_poets
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@mtealliance
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@wutthmoneshweyi
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https://www.lionwithaflowingmane.com/
Summary
- May is AAPI Heritage Month, the time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures and histories.
- Engage meaningfully and respectfully: learn, listen, and uplift AAPI voices.
- Beware of cultural appropriation, opt for respectful appreciation.
- Educate yourself on current issues like climate and political injustice.
Now it’s your turn! Share what you personally find inspiring or join in on our celebration of AAPI Heritage Month HERE!
Love from the Inclusivity Group
