Political Education

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

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Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month! This month is meant to honor those Americans who descended from Asia, the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. This month is meant for people to study the history of Asian American and Pacific Islanders, the struggles of these groups of peoples, and their art and literature.

History

Asian American and Pacific Islander Month started as a week. In 1976 Jennie Jew, a Congressional Staffer at the time noticed a lack of Asian representation in the Bicentennial Celebration. She told New York Congressman her concerns, and he and Congressman Mineta introduced a bill for Asian American and Pacific Islander Week in 1977. Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced similar bills at the same time. Those original bills did not pass. But a year later Congressman Horton introduced another bill and in 1978 President Carter signed Asian American History week into law. In 1990 the week was expanded into a month when Congressman Horton proposed another bill expanding Asian American and Pacific Islander Week into a month. George H.W. Bush signed the bill and in 1992 May was designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Month.

How can you celebrate?

How can you celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, especially if museums are closed. Consume media by Asian American musicians, directors, podcasters, actors, or painters.

Here are some Podcasts:

Asian Americana is apart of the Podcast Potluck Collective of Asian American Podcast Creators. Check them out and look at all of the podcasts on their website.

Museums have virtual experiences. The Wing Luke Museum of Asian American Experience has a vertical tour here. The Asia Society of New York has virtual events as well here.

Some books you might want to check out are:

Movies with Asian American Directors:

Are there any books or movies by AAPI artists you plan to watch? Leave your recommendations in the comments below.

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