AAPI Heritage Month
Someone has to think of an idea for it to become a reality. Many special occasions and special designations have grown out of a simple idea presented to Congress.
In 1977, a former congressional staffer, Jeanie Jew, approached Representative Frank Horton of New York with the idea of designating a period of time each year for Asian Americans. She and another congressional staffer, Ruby Moy, discussed the matter with Rep. Horton and Rep. Norman Y. Mineta of California. Representatives Horton and Mineta introduced a resolution in the United States House of Representatives to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week. A similar bill was introduced in the Senate a month later by Sens. Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga, both of Hawaii.
The proposed resolutions sought to designate the month of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month for two main reasons. The first Japanese immigrant arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843. On May 10, 1869, the Golden Spike was introduced to the First Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Point in Utah, which was completed with many Chinese laborers. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution for the celebration on October 5, 1978.
With the unanimous support of the Senate and House of Representatives, President George HW Bush signed Public Law 103-450 in October 1992 to permanently designate the entire month of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. The month of May is now called Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI).
May is officially AAPI Heritage Month to honor the achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to celebrate the diversity in this country. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a rich heritage that goes back thousands of years. They have helped shape the history of the United States. They have made significant contributions to American society in all areas, from business and politics to the arts and literature. It is appropriate to have a month to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of AAPI communities.
Over the years in the history of the United States, there have been many examples of racism against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. They have had to face many difficult situations in which they were discriminated against and treated unfairly. However, they have persevered and pushed through despite the fact that racism has not fully abated. There are still cases of prejudice, hate, and outright racism against many diverse groups, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. One of the most egregious acts of injustice was the imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II, when 120,000 were forcibly removed from their homes on the west coast of the continental United States and incarcerated in American concentration camps. during years. It is necessary to always be vigilant and continue to work for the civil rights of all so that such injustices are not perpetrated against other people.
While many AAPI Heritage Month events were canceled in May 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were virtual celebrations across the country. AAPI groups look forward to holding annual events again next year in 2021. Plans will be made and events will be held to celebrate the diversity and achievements of the AAPI community.