Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
“Asian Americans inhabit a purgatorial status: neither white enough nor black enough, unmentioned in most conversations about racial identity. In the popular imagination, Asian Americans are all high-achieving professionals. But in reality, this is the most economically divided group in the country, a tenuous alliance of people with roots from South Asia to East Asia to the Pacific Islands, from tech millionaires to service industry laborers. How do we speak honestly about the Asian American condition—if such a thing exists?” - Cathy Park Hong
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! The cultures celebrated during this month are far-reaching, including diverse ethnic groups from two of the most populous countries on the planet, China and India, and the islands of the Pacific including Samoa, the Hawaiian Islands, and Fiji. How did all these groups end up with one designation? The history is complicated, but is essentially rooted in xenophobic attitudes towards Asian immigrants. As Chinese laborers entered the United States, misguided fears of replacement led to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which essentially barred immigration from China. Further acts such as the Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907 and 1917 Immigration Act also saw limitations in immigration from Japan and South Asia, respectively. The Immigration Act of 1924 further saw the solidification of these exclusionary acts by establishing quotas to ensure European immigrants received preferential admittance over immigrants from Asia. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 reversed these quotas and paved the way for a boom of Asian immigration to the United States. Alongside the growth of Asian American populations came that unifying term–Asian American–coined by student activists in 1968. From there, “Asian Pacific Islander” became a census designation before being separated a short time later.
AAPI Heritage Month itself was first celebrated in May 1979 as a weeklong celebration which was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1992. May was chosen because it marks the first arrival of Japanese immigrants in 1843 and also encompasses the completion date of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, on which the majority of workers were Chinese.
Currently, SHARE Detroit is only partnered with one nonprofit that specifically does outreach for Asian American communities in Detroit: Women of Banglatown, a community space for women in the majority Bangladeshi neighborhood of Banglatown in Detroit and Hamtramck. We hope to partner with more in the future so we can better support all of our community members!
If you are still in search of a nonprofit to support, please check out our directory here.
About SHARE Detroit
SHARE Detroit is a community initiative with opportunities to do good across the tri-county area. A robust online platform makes giving easy by connecting generous people to the greatest needs in the community. SHAREDetroit.org offers local nonprofits a chance to be seen and heard, regardless of cause or size, and work together. Learn more at sharedetroit.org.