May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! As of 2009, AAPI Heritage Month is observed in the United States during the month of May and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. During this month, communities celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students. Here is some of the history behind AAPI Heritage Month and some events that are held to honor this month. 

History: The month of May was chosen because it commemorates the migration of the first immigrants from Japan to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to celebrate the completion of the transcontinental railroad by over 200,000 Asian immigrants on May 10, 1869. However, the first Asian immigrants arrived in the U.S. in 1587 when Filipinos first began migrating to California. Immigrants continued to come from the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands through 1920 when the first Samoans were documented in Hawaii. AAPI Heritage Month did not become recognized nationally until very recently, though. 

1970’s: Asian and Pacific American Heritage month was the idea of former congressional staffer Jeanie Jew who first approached Representative Frank Horton about the idea of designating a month to recognize Asian Pacific Americans, following the United States’ bicentennial celebration in 1976.In June 1977, Horton and Rep. Norman Y. Mineta, introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week. A month later, a similar bill was introduced in the Senate by former U.S. Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution for the celebration on Oct. 5, 1978.  

1990’s: In 1990, George H.W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend Asian American Heritage Week to a month. On May 14, 1991, a public law was passed unanimously by congress and then signed by Bush, proclaiming May 1991 and May 1992 as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month. By 1992, May was officially designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 

Stop Asian Hate: Stop Asian Hate is a slogan and name for a series of demonstrations, protests, and rallies against violence targeting Asians, Asian Americans, and others of Asian descent. They were held across the United States in 2021 in response to racial discrimination against Asian Americans relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic, which was first reported in the city of Wuhan, China, has led to a spike in racism against Asians and Asian Americans since 2019. Stop Asian Hate appeared in 2021 to denounce the violence targeting Asian American Pacific Islander communities in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This denunciation has resonated in many other countries, where the rise of violence against Asians and people of Asian descent was also observed through deadly attacks, verbal and physical harassment, bullying in schools, workplace discrimination, and incitement to hatred in the media and on social media platforms. 

Philip Lim is a top American fashion designer and a figurehead of the #StopAsianHate movement. “#StopAsianHate was born out of individuals like myself in the AAPI community saying, ‘No.’ Enough is enough.” Lim said. “I couldn’t remain silent because as we stay silent, the violence continues.” Lim believes the movement is not about other races being the enemy or pinning people against each other. In his own words, he says, “We come together and understand that our common enemy is hate. If you witness or you bear witness to injustice, say something. Stand up, stand up when you are not needed because this is how you play a role, too. Don’t wait till it is in dire need.” Stop Asian Hate works to create unity between communities and help educate to end violence. 

Local Events: Here are some events in the Metro Detroit area celebrating AAPI Heritage Month. 

DIA: The Detroit Institute of Arts is celebrating AAPI Heritage Month by partnering with AAPI community groups and professional artists who specialize in traditional and contemporary dance, art, music, and more. These events will be taking place from May 5 to May 27. All events are free with general museum admission. 

Frame’s Asian American Market and Brunch: This restaurant is teaming up with Rising Voices, a nonprofit organization working toward a more inclusive Michigan for the Asian American community, to showcase AAPI-owned small businesses, and celebrate Michigan’s Asian American entrepreneurs. There will be an Asian American market that attendees can shop at, with a Filipino bar brunch, KPOP Station, and much more. 

Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival 2023: Grand Rapids hosts Michigan’s largest Asian-Pacific celebration! There are many events to partake in, including food vendors, performers, live music, karaoke, family games, and much more to learn about and celebrate AAPI heritage. 

Acknowledging Asian and Pacific Islander heritage is very important, especially since so much of their culture contributes to American life and their origins often become forgotten. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played vital roles in shaping the nation for a long time and their contributions will not be forgotten.