Looking Back at AAPI Heritage Month

Gigi Kim

The month of May was officially designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. However, this celebration was not always officially recognized. Back in 1977, politician Frank Horton proposed the first 10 days of May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, but this proposition initially failed to pass. By 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed it into Public Law, which lasted from 1980 to 1990, when Congress expanded the observance into a month. The purpose of the month of May is to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants who came to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to recognize the Chinese immigrants who completed the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. 

Beyond the significant accomplishments and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans and Native Hawaiians, this month also honors the diverse cultural and historical backgrounds of AAPI people. It highlights the immigrant journeys and stories of individuals, who played vital roles in developing the American society we know today. Additionally, this month is an opportunity for others to get educated on the challenges faced by AAPI people, from the past to the present, such as discrimination, racism and stereotypes. Anti-Asian sentiment and violence is still prevalent, and it’s important to raise awareness and stand against discrimination to promote inclusivity. 

AAPI individuals have made significant impacts and long-lasting contributions across society. Fred Korematsu was a civil rights activist who fought against Executive Order 9066, which enforced the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Chien-Shiung Wu was a Chinese American physicist who revolutionized nuclear physics and advocated for women in the field of science. In addition to being the United States’ first female Vice President, Kamala Harris was also the First Asian American to hold this position. 

There are numerous ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and give back to your local AAPI communities, whether it’s by engaging in dialogue on the importance of diversity and inclusion or by supporting AAPI-owned organizations and businesses. Listed below are a few such organizations and businesses you can consider supporting: 

Organizations

  1. Act To Change

  2. TAAF (The Asian American Foundation)

  3. National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQUAPIA)

  4. Stop AAPI Hate

  5. 'Āina Momona

  6. Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP)

  7. Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)

  8. The National Alliance on Mental Illness California (NAMI CA)

Businesses 

  1. Tower 28 

  2. Misaky Tokyo

  3. Pink Moon

  4. Bachan

  5. Popflex

  6. Omsom

  7. Nguyen Coffee Supply