May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. We invite you to be curious and learn more about heritage months we honor in the United States.
Like many other commemorative months in the United States, it started as a week in 1978 with the observance expanded to a full month in the early 1990s.
May was selected to recognize the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843. It also marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Most of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. (From www.asianpacificheritage.gov)
A 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).
We honor Asian Americans and Pacific Islander heritage in the United States – past, present and future – by learning more. Below are some recommendations to explore from the team at Valley Outreach, many are specific to Minnesota!
Nonprofits
Karen Organization of Minnesota – Did you know, St. Paul, Minnesota is home to one of the largest Karen communities in America? More than 17,000 Karen have resettled in St. Paul since the early 2000s. It is the third most common language spoken at Valley Outreach.
Hmong Cultural Center – Hmong Cultural Center is the primary Hmong and Asian American organization in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. It offers outreach activities related to multicultural education for the purposes of promoting positive race relations in the Twin Cities.
Book
The Spirit Catches You and Then You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures – This book is often required for social work students. It highlights the importance of considering cultural differences when supporting others.
News Article
How did Minnesota become a hub for Hmong people? – From Curious Minnesota in the Star Tribune and in partnership with The Sahan Journal.
Health & Beauty
CocoKind – Founder Priscilla Tsai, promotes sustainable and inclusive beauty. You can find these products at Minnesota’s favorite, local big-box retailer, Target.
Arts
Funny Asian Women Kollectve – An uncensored space where Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) women can tell their truths without compromise. From their website, “For us, “comedy” can exist as standup, sketches, storytelling, music, poetry, and videos and is powerful because it makes talking about controversial issues more accessible and engaging.”
Theater MU – Committed to moving Asian theater forward.
Food & Treats
Hmong Village Shopping Center – Support local business owners and entrepreneurs. The center features 17 restaurants, over 10 farmers markets, and more than 100 merchandise stores.
Hmong Owned CSA – Support local farmers and sign up for a Community Supported Agriculture box from the Hmong American Farmer Association. In addition to food, they offer Flower Bouquet CSAs.
Read all the Valley Outreach Be Curious posts here.
What resources celebrating contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans do you recommend?
