Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month Resources

May 2022 is Asian American/Pacific Islander Month. Since 1992 (Congress passed Public Law 102-450 and President Bill Clinton later signed the bill), Americans have celebrated the many contributions and achievements of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States in May. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the first Japanese groups to immigrate to the U.S.A. on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of those who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of 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). My dedicated social studies department head at Coppell High, Diane de Waal, asked if I could compile a list of resources our teachers could use in their classes to discuss the importance of APA Heritage Month in May. This timing of this celebratory month and resources pages is appropriate since I have recently finished talking about Asian Americans during WWII (for example, Japanese-Americans were forced to live at isolated internment camps in the Southwest because others believed that they were spies). I have shared those resources below.

Over 15,000 Chinese male immigrants were employed by the Central Pacific Railroad Co. to build the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860s. Many had lived in California during the 1850s Gold Rush. Despite their dedication to building the railroad, the Chinese in America faced racial discrimination and often were tasked to complete the dangerous jobs (including putting active dynamite in caves). Historians estimate that 2,000 men lost their lives while building the railroad (most were Chinese Americans). Photograph from the Smithsonian. 

Introductory Videos:

Belonging in America (Video) - Susie Kim, a NYC Corps teacher, shares her experiences about living and working in the United States as an Asian American.

A People's History of Asian America (PBS Video) - exploring pros and cons of separating 'Asian American' as a statistical category.

APA Heritage Month on Tik Tok (Video) - discover how Tik Tok, the world's fastest growing social media app, is celebrating this month.

Federal Asian Pacific American Council Press Release - press release notifying public of this years theme, "advancing leaders through collaboration."

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This years theme is "Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration" (Asian/Pacific American citizens working together in Congress and leadership role to better the USA).

Kamala Harris Biography (Article) - Harris, an African American of Asian-American descent, became our nation's first woman vice president in January 2021. She was sworn in with Joe Biden, our 46th president. This is a brief biography of Harris breaking glass ceilings as the first African American woman as California's attorney general as well as the second African American elected to the senate.

Saving Native Languages (Article) - William Wilson, a professor at the University of Hawaii Hilo, has recently collaborated with Hawaii's Congressional delegation to establish a new Language Resource Center in hopes of preserving Hawaiian languages.

Kurt Chew-Een Lee (Article & Interview) - Lee was the first Asian American United States Marine Corps officer. During a distinguished military career, Lee collaborated with his comrades and superiors during the Battle of Inchon, a decisive victory for the US and UN during thee Korean War (1950-1953). Lee would later be awarded the Navy Cross for his valor.

Meet Elaine L. Chao (Article) - Chao, a native of Taiwan who immigrated to the US when she was 8 years old, was the first Asian American woman to serve in a president's cabinet when she was appointed Secretary of Labor (2001-2009) by George W. Bush. Chao would later again serve in the cabinet as Secretary of Transportation (2017-2021) during the presidency of Donald Trump. Chao is married to current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

National Archives - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (more info)

Asian Americans have contributed to our nation's rich history in many ways. During the 1850s Gold Rush, immigrants from Asia flocked to the West Coast, settling in areas such as San Francisco. Today, the ChinaTown in San Francisco is a gorgeous, culturally-spirited sector that embraces Asian-American heritage. Photograph by CNN Traveler.

**Consider starting your classes in May by having students read the articles/watch videos on the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have had on the history and culture of thee United States. You may follow-up with tasking your students to further research pioneering profiles or generate further open-ended discussions in small or large groups:

    - To what extent have Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contributed to the vibrant history and culture of the United States?

    - How did Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders use their professional roles in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as opportunities for societal advancement?

    - Why is it important for us to continue to study Asian American/Pacific Islander history and culture?

The APA theme for 2022 is "Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration." USDA Site.