A Rich Heritage
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a period for the duration of month of May for recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. A rather broad term, the commemorative month is a celebration of those from a vast number of regions including the continent of Asia, the Pacific islands of Melanesia (including New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), and Polynesia (including New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and French Polynesia). Approved by Congress in 1992, the month of May was selected in order to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843. To honor a culture replete with such a rich history and traditions, here are a few ways that you can celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month:
Know the History One of the first ways to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is to learn all about the deep, rich culture as well as the contributions of AAPIs as a whole. With various online resources available, here are a few of our favorites for you to explore:
• h ttps://asianpacificheritage.gov/about/ • https://www.pbs.org/specials/asianpacific-american-heritage-month/
• h ttps://artsandculture.google.com/story/12ways-to-celebrate-asian-pacific-americanheritage-month/6AWxHzPoMnUTnw?hl=en
Enjoy the Food Perhaps one of the best ways to learn more about a culture is by trying the food and Asian American and Pacific Islanders are no exception. Given the geographical locations of many of their countries, it comes as no surprise that fruits, vegetables, seafood and nuts have become staples in AAPI cuisine. Some of the culture’s most popular dishes include dumplings, samba, poke and lap lap. For students, faculty and staff on our campuses, be sure to join us this month for our Grad Fest: Polynesian Luau premium meal. During this event, we’ll be recognizing our graduating students and employees before kicking off a spirited luau celebration. Please check with your dining hall for the date and time of the event.
Embrace the Culture Because culture encompasses many things, you can celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander culture in a variety of ways. If you can, consider taking a road‑trip to visit a museum exhibit. For example, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. is home to the Asian Pacific American Center. There you can find exhibits that bring history, art and culture to you in innovative, community‑focused experiences. If you’re at home looking for entertainment, consider watching movies produced/directed by an Asia‑Pacific creator or add an Asian‑Pacific author to your May reading list. Finally, if you’d like to get creative, consider learning Asian‑Pacific inspired art and crafts such as origami or paper lanterns. As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month during May, we encourage you to embrace the rich culture of Asian‑Pacific Americans and remember that each of our cultures and backgrounds play a significant role in shaping the unique, dynamic world around us.
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May 2021
