Reflecting on Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

As Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) Month comes to a close, it is a good time to reflect on its importance. AAPI Month is a time to celebrate, recognize, and honor the historical achievements of those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. The month of May was chosen based on the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to celebrate the Chinese immigrants who worked on the transcontinental railroad, which was completed on May 10, 1869.

Beyond remembering these historic contributions, AAPI month also offers an opportunity to reflect on being an ally. In the article How to Be a Better Ally to Your Asian Colleagues, Evelyn Nam shares her thoughts on how the South Korean concept of Hyo (효)—gratefully reciprocating care and support received from parents—can be applied to the workplace. She states “I believe adapting this practice to the workplace could be an impactful way to create inclusive and equitable environments.” This is a good reminder to hold gratitude for those we work with.

To celebrate AAPI Month and get involved you can:

• Check out the UMN Asian Pacific American Resource Center (APARC), which is committed to offering a sense of belonging for Asian American and Pacific Islander students.
• Find ways to celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Minneapolis.
• Learn about Asian American stories through the PBS documentary series Asian Americans.