May Is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

As the United States continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an emboldened anti-Asian sentiment is sweeping through the country, despite the fact that Asian Americans are overrepresented on the front lines fighting COVID-19. Such an action, unfortunately, is not new, but it is a reminder of the important need to inform, educate, advocate, and celebrate the historical contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.  During this unprecedented moment in American history, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month takes on even more importance.

How did May come to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?

Watch this brief YouTube video to find out.

The term “Asian American” is widely encompassing, referring to people with origins in China, Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Burma (Myanmar.)  Additionally, it refers to people of the Indian subcontinent. The term “Pacific Islander,” refers to people from Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

What it is like growing up Asian American (YouTube video)

You can learn some of the history, contributions, and challenges experienced by Asian American by viewing Asian Americans a PBS five-hour film series. Told through intimate personal stories, the series casts a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played.

Learn a little about traditional music/instruments/art by watching these YouTube videos:

• Guqin, Chinese musical instrument
• Hmong flute/qeej
• Japanese taiko drumming
• Korean traditional music
• Asian Art Museum 

The following Inside Higher Ed articles are about the treatment of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans during COVID-19:

Fighting the Shadow Pandemic

Scholars v. COVID-19 Racism

Finally, here are a couple of Classroom Resources:
South and South Asian Art: A Resource for Educators

Flower Cloth: The Art and History of Hmong Paj Ntaub