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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May marks the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an annual recognition of the contributions of the AAPI community to American history and culture. The term AAPI includes cultures from the continent of Asia (East, Southeast, and South) and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

While this month is a celebration of the entire AAPI community, it is important to recognize the immense diversity of identities that exist under this umbrella term. Some of the largest AAPI communities in Minnesota, for example, include Hmong, Asian Indian, and Chinese populations, all of which have distinct histories and cultures. While the term “Asian American” was used by activists in the 1960s to build political power and create unity toward a common goal, some argue that such a broad term may also obstruct or erase the unique challenges of various groups under this single label.

We encourage you to take some time this month to celebrate, learn about, and support the work of AAPI members in our community by exploring the resources below. It is also critical to note the increased violence and xenophobia directed at Asian Americans in recent years and the urgency of supporting the AAPI community beyond this month. You can explore ways to get involved through organizations like Stop AAPI Hate or by attending a virtual training to intervene or respond to anti-Asian American harassment.

Resources

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Coalition of Asian-American Leaders
• Asian American Organizing Project

Join our DEI Community of Practice

Subscribe to our DEI Google Group to discuss the latest news, connect with the committee, and keep up-to-date with DEI initiatives. More information about the group and DEI committee can be found on the ASR Intranet.