AAPI Heritage Month - Challenging Anti Asian Bias
Image from ADL - Fighting Hate for Good
In the US, May is the month to celebrate the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Though it can be easy for some people to group together individuals from the East, the Southeast, the Indian subcontinent, and the Pacific Islands, the reality is they have distinct cultures, nationalities, languages, and histories.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a great time to learn about the history of these different cultures -- which includes everything from the key contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to the US, to the marginalization that's spanned generations. These experiences are especially important in the face of a sharp increase in anti-Asian discrimination and violence since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Read on to find the resources and information to know, including what Asian American and Pacific Islander history is. (And here's how to donate to organizations addressing violence against the AAPI community.)
The month of May was chosen to mark two significant events: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to the US on May 7, 1843, and the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad -- which was completed thanks to the labor of tens of thousands of Chinese immigrants -- on May 10, 1869.
This year AAPI Heritage Month takes place against the backdrop of a rise in anti-Asian crimes, including online harassment, during the pandemic, as some people have falsely blamed Asian Americans for the spread of the coronavirus.
“Amidst the increase in anti-Asian rhetoric, bullying in schools, racist incidents, scapegoating, and hate crimes impacting Asian and Asian American people, this is an important opportunity to have conversations with young people about the history of violence and injustice. In addition, this time also provides an opening to engage students in learning more about the history and background of the AAPI community and how to act as an ally when you see, witness, or experience bias and injustice.” - ADL Anti Bias Education
The following resources for students, schools, classrooms, and families can help to open those conversations. LINK for resources.