By Jennie L. Ilustre Ever wonder why the month of May was chosen to celebrate Asian Pacific A By Jennie L. Ilustre Ever wonder why the month of May was chosen to celebrate Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month? May honors two historic milestones:…
By Jennie L. Ilustre
Ever wonder why the month of May was chosen to celebrate Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month? May honors two historic milestones: The arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in May 1843, and also the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869. In 1978, the U. S. Congress established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week through a joint congressional resolution. Congress expanded the week to a month-long celebration in 1992.
This year, the community continues its tradition of celebrating its heritage and progress in this great nation. It also continued the tradition of recognizing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) who are making a difference through their talents and civic engagement.
Something is markedly different this year, however.
Throughout this month, the Asia Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) is scheduling resistance events with other national organizations. APALA AFL-CIO Executive Director Gregory Cendana said in an email: “During this year’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month APAHM, we’ re celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander resistance, both past and present. Our communities are no strangers to oppression–from the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II to the uptick of hate violence against Muslims and perceived-to-be Muslim communities. Nor are we strangers to resisting, organizing, and fighting back. With an administration with aggressively anti-worker, anti-immigrant, and pro-corporate agenda, we choose to center our resistance as part of our legacy and heritage.”
APALA, he added, is collecting resistance events as part of the #AAPIsResist Month of Action at https: //aapisresist.org/2017/04/28/calendar-of-events/. He has urged those interested in adding an event to email mmanapsal@apalanet.org.
John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice/AAJC, emailed on May 1: “During this month-long celebration into Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we stand together to remember and honor the contributions of the AAPI community, a community rich in immigrant history, ” “It is also a time to reflect on the xenophobic and anti-immigrant moments of the past and refuse to let history repeat itself today.”
GOP Celebrates APA Achievements
On May 1, Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Co-Chairman Bob Paduchik recognized the contributions of Asian Americans to the nation’s prosperity and strength.
“This month we honor the Americans of East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander descent with APA Heritage Month, ” said Chairwoman McDaniel. “APA Heritage Month is a reminder of the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to the prosperity of our diverse country and the sacrifices many have made to realize the American Dream. I am grateful to the Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders who have made great contributions not only to the Republican Party, but also to our nation.
