The month of May is designated in the United States as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., tweeted an acknowledgement of the observance, saying “Our campus community is enriched by their contributions and cultures.”
In A Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2023, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden wrote:
“During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, our Nation celebrates the diversity of cultures, breadth of achievement, and remarkable contributions of these communities; of brave immigrants who, motivated by the promise of possibilities, picked up their lives and found new homes here; of native peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial; and of community leaders shaping a brighter future for us all. Throughout our history, they have represented the bigger story of who we are as Americans and embodied the truth that our diversity is our strength as a Nation.”
See below for resources to learn more about the annual observance, the cultures being celebrated and how you can help combat anti-Asian racism:
- The story behind Asian Pacific American Heritage, and why it's celebrated in May (NPR)
- 10 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with Kids & Teens (Boys & Girls Clubs of America)
- Documentaries streaming in May featuring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander voices (PBS)
- Apple Podcasts’ AAPI Heritage category – featuring “voices [that] touch on the community care, multi-generational exchanges, and cultural work taking place across the Asian diaspora”
- Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month artists, music, creators, voices and stories on Spotify
- Resources on anti-Asian racism (Notre Dame’s Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies)
Originally published by at diversity.nd.edu on May 02, 2023.