Miss Porter's School May OEI Bulletin!

By: Jianing (Jennifer) Lin

THE OEI BULLETIN

AANHPI Heritage Month

05/2024

In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, the OEI Reps dedicate this month’s newsletter to those who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. The newsletter includes a story of the traditional Hawaiian dance hula, a Q & A about the

heritage month itself, an examination of AANHPI identities through visual art, and a detailed history of how the heritage month came to be. We hope you enjoy the read and join us in uplifting members of the AANHPI community this month and all months.

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Photo by REUTERS/Ringo Chiu

Hula

By Aizah Ali

The Hawaiian tradition of hula has a deep-rooted history in Hawaiian culture and stories. Unfortunately, it has been appropriated and heavily separated from its original purpose, causing the meaning to be lost with non-indigenous Hawaiians. It is vital to understand the meaning and importance of indigenous traditions so they can be properly respected and appreciated.

There are many myths and stories about the origins of hula, most of which feature Pele, the goddess of volcano and fire. These stories change how hula is preformed based on where in Hawai’i the tales originated from. Hula was one of the ways Hawaiians passed down knowledge before there was an official written language in Hawai’i. The performers would dance to chants to honor gods and chiefs or explain certain topics such as the weather, the stars, and the movement of earth and lava.

The two overarching types of hula are hula

kahiko, or ancient hula, and hula ʻauana, or modern hula. Ancient and modern hula are vastly different. Hula kahiko is commonly part of or an extension of ceremonies. It is paired with chants and percussion instruments, as most hula kahiko compositions are centuries old. Though they are from the past, they are still performed and are growing in modern-day Hawai’i. Hula ‘auana is a less formal style of hula that was popularized in the 20th century. It does not need to be attached to a ceremony and is typically a story paired with song and stringed instruments.

It is important to respectfully enjoy hula. Hula dancers undergo rigorous physical and academic training before performing publicly. Additionally, hula is not always meant for the public eye, so it is preferred to keep a distance and avoid disruptions if a private hula performance is occurring. Hula is an expression of Hawaiian culture, history, and identity; it must be preserved and respected.

19th-century hula performers

AANHPI Month Q & A

Why Do We Celebrate AANHPI Month?

By Mary Zheng

We celebrate AANHPI Month in May to recognize the experiences of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and their many contributions to the history and culture of the United States. The influence of these communities started as early as 1763, when the first Asian settlement was established by Filipino fishermen in Louisiana.

Why May?

In 1977 the U.S. Congress chose the first ten days of May to commemorate the history and contributions of Asian American communities here in the U.S. The week’s observance became a month, the very month in which the first Japanese immigrants came to the U.S. in 1843. We also commemorate the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 as the majority of workers who laid those railroad tracks were Chinese immigrants. And that’s why AANHPI Heritage Month is in May.

What Is the Story behind AANHPI?

A notable story behind AANHPI Heritage Month centers on the efforts of Jeanie Jew, a Chinese American congressional staffer, who was pivotal in the establishment of this annual observance.

Jeanie Jew’s motivation was deeply personal and historical. Her great-grandfather, M.Y. Lee, had come to the United States from China and worked on the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century. Despite his significant contributions, he, like many others, faced severe discrimination and his efforts were largely unrecognized in mainstream American history. This historical omission inspired Jew to advocate for a dedicated time to honor the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

In the mid-1970s, Jew approached Representative Frank Horton of New York with the idea of establishing a week to celebrate Asian-Pacific heritage. Horton, recognizing the importance of this acknowledgment, along with Representative Norman Mineta of California, introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives. This initial resolution sought to designate the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. In the Senate, similar efforts were led by Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga of Hawaii.

On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed it into law, officially establishing Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. This observance provided a platform to honor the history, culture, and contributions of AANHPI communities.

The celebration grew in scope and significance over the years. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a bill expanding the week to a month, and in 1992, May was permanently designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The inclusion of Native Hawaiians in recent years further broadened the scope, reflecting a more comprehensive recognition of the diverse communities within the AANHPI umbrella.

How Can You Celebrate AANHPI month?

This month offers a wonderful opportunity for everyone, including those who do not identify as part of the AANHPI community, to engage in meaningful celebrations and learn about the cultures, histories, and contributions of these communities. Here are several ways to celebrate and honor AANHPI Heritage Month:

1. Educate Yourself

- Read Books and Articles: Some notable books by AANHPI authors include “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan, “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri, and “The Best We Could Do” by Thi Bui.

- Attend Virtual or In-Person Talks and Workshops: Many organizations host events during this month that feature speakers discussing AANHPI history, issues, and culture.

2. Support AANHPI Businesses

- Dine at AANHPI-owned Restaurants: Explore the diverse culinary offerings from various AANHPI cultures.

- Shop at AANHPI-owned Businesses: Support local businesses and artisans by purchasing goods from AANHPI-owned shops.

3. Participate in Cultural Events

- Festivals and Performances: Attend cultural festivals, music performances, dance shows, and art exhibitioncelebrating AANHPI heritage.

- Community Celebrations: Many cities host parades, fairs, and other community events. Participate and immerse yourself in the cultural experiences.

4. Engage with AANHPI Art and Media

- Visit Museums and Galleries: Explore exhibits dedicated to AANHPI history and art.

- Follow AANHPI Creators: Support and engage with artists, writers, filmmakers, and influencers on social media who share AANHPI stories and perspectives.

Exploring AANHPI Identities Through Visual Art

By Georgia Achilles

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) diasporas extend across the globe, leading the AANHPI identity to be incredibly diverse, and ever-changing. The understanding of racial and ethnic identity carries with it traditions, histories, questions, and feelings which are expressed most effectively through art. The artists highlighted below use elements of their cultural identities as means of resistance, reclamation, and expression, ultimately showing their viewers what an AANHPI identity means to them.

Lehuauakea is a Native Hawaiian artist from Pāpaʻikou, Hawaiʻi. They work across various artistic mediums with emphasis on the use of kapa. Kapa is a textile made from the bark of the wauke tree, and has been a vessel of traditional art across the Pacific islands for centuries. The process of making kapa is both laborious and delicate, and often learned and perfected through apprenticeship. The style in which Kapa is made and decorated varies across islands and cultures, and was historically suppressed by colonial rule. Lehuauakea’s Hawaiian style Kapa is marked by intricate geometric patterns, variety in color, three-dimensional movement, and is entirely plant-based. Their perfection and expansion of intergenerational, landbased artistic practices serves as a means of reclaiming and protecting the Native Hawaiian identity.

Shahzia Sikander is a multidisciplinary artist who works in mosaic, ink, gouache, sculpture and photography. Born in Lahore, Pakistan under the Ziaul-Haq military regime, she emigrated to the US when she was twenty two to pursue her B.F.A. Her use of the traditional Pakistani art of miniature painting brought a new perspective to the universities she attended, launching the practice into popularity. Her style is influenced by traditional Pakistani patterns, clothing, history, and folklore. By utilizing her Pakistani culture as a means of expressing diverse messages and experiences, her artwork sparks dialogue and appreciation for intersectionality and the South Asian identity.

Lehuauakea. Mele O Nā Kaukani Wai (Song Of A Thousand Waters). 2018. I Walk With My Ancestors. 2023.

Oi Ola Honua (May The Gods Grant Me Life, While There Is Life On Earth). 2016.

Sikander, Shahzia. Big Dog. 2009. Sikander, Shahzia. The Perennial Gaze. 2018.

Maya Fuji is a self-taught artist based in the Bay Area. She works primarily in acrylic on wood, but often incorporates textural elements such as airbrushing, rhinestones, and glitter. She emigrated from Kanazawa, Japan to northern California as a child, splitting much of her time between the two countries. Her work explores her identity as an Issei (first-generation) Japanese-American, and multiracial woman. Her paintings serve as commentary on the Multiracial and Asian-American experience and question how ethnic and racial identity is retained and changed over time. Her use of dimension, focus on the female form, and comfortable domestic scenes are reminiscent of traditional Japanese woodblock prints. Her subjects, however, are depicted in vibrant color, with modern accessories, and with cartoonish, feminine, faces. Though women take up most of her pieces, Fuji cleverly hides Japanese yokai and Kami within domestic scenes, adding a playful nod to Japanese folklore and religion. Note the small characters running across the blue floor and in the window in the first two pieces. Her iconography, color, subject, and composition meld the traditional and contemporary, the physical and spiritual, and the American and Japanese identities.

Fuji, Maya. Yokai In The Mirror. 2022.

Fuji, Maya. Buddy. 2023.

History of AANHPI Month

By Sophia Seraile Yam

May is National AANHPI Month! AANHPI stands for Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Month This year, it spans from May 1st to May 31st. This is a time to celebrate and honor the historical and cultural achievements and contributions made to the US by people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. According to a Kettering College article, “AAPI Month celebrates the rich, diverse culture that spans from countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Samoa, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, to name a few”. Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians have all contributed significantly to this country in aspects of American culture, science, medicine, art, food, literature, government, and activism, just to name a few.

AAPI Month was originally designed to commemorate the Japanese immigrants who arrived in the US on May 7th, 1843, and to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10th, 1869. Chinese immigrants working on the railroad worked in dangerous conditions and were treated poorly and unfairly compared to their White counterparts. This federally recognized month started as only a week in 1979. From 1980 to 1990, each US president passed annual proclamations for AAPI week until Congress expanded the observance from a week to a month in 1990. However, the term has recently been switched from AAPI to AANHPI to be a more inclusive umbrella term to include Native Hawaiians. According to the Federal Asian Pacific Amerian Council, this year’s theme of AANHPI Heritage Month is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation”.

Some ways to celebrate and recognize this month’s culture could be reading a book or watching a movie by an AANHPI author or director, enjoying AANHPI cuisine, or learning how to cook a dish from an AANHPI culture. You can also wish your Asian friends or family a Happy AANHPI Month!

AANHPI Month Q & A - Mary Zheng

Bibliography:

Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition. “AANHPI Heritage Month 2024.” University of California San Francisco, 2024, https://aapicoalition.ucsf.edu/aanhpi-heritage-month-2024.

National Endowment for the Humanities. “Virtual Bookshelf: Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.” NEH, 2024, https://www.neh.gov/news/virtual-bookshelf-asian-american-and-native-hawaiianpacific-islander-aanhpi-heritage-month.

PBS. “Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.” PBS, 2024, https://www.pbs.org/articles/celebrate-asian-american-and-pacific-islander-heritage-month.

Library of Congress. “Events.” Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month, 2024, https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov/Events.html.

Exploring AANHPI Identities Through Visual Art - Georgia Achilles “Maya Fuji” Maya Fuji, www.mayafuji.com/.

“Shahzia Sikander” Shahzia Sikander, www.shahziasikander.com/.

“Contemporary Indigenous Hawaiian Artist + Barkcloth Maker.” LEHUAUAKEA, lehuauakea.com/.

History of AANHPI Month - Sophia Seraile Yam

https://kc.edu/the-importance-of-aapi-month/#:~:text=May%20was%20designated%20AAPI%20Month,ending%20in%20May%20of%201869.

https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/annual-observances/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month