May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Montha national celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have enriched America's history, society and culture and are instrumental to our past, present and future. This month, and every month,we celebrate their values, beliefs and traditions,acknowledge the struggles and discrimination they face, and honor theirinvaluable contributions toour national identity.
Explore these virtual events, series and opportunities that pay tribute to and help us better understand the extraordinary impact of the AAPI community.
TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO HISTORY.
AAPI communities have influenced American culture in areas that range from food to business to politics. To learn more about their extraordinary impact, start with a documentary about Filipino farm workersin the U.S., who played a pivotal role in fighting for farm workers rights in the 1960s. Or jump intothe story of
Tyrus Wong, a Chinese American artist who pioneered Disney animation, American art and popular culture.The stories of important AAPI figureswill be on full display ina five-hour docuseries from PBS, available for free all month.
LEARN FROM AAPI AUTHORS.
Interested insome AAPI perspectives? ConsiderMinor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning, in which authorCathy Park Hong gives her striking insights into the impossible-to-reach goal of American exceptionalism, or All You Can Ever Know, a memoir about Nicole Chungs life as an adopted child of a white family in Oregon. If streaming is more your style, the Asian Author Alliance will host more than a dozen discussions with AAPI authors and artists this month on its YouTube channel through May 27th. Session topics will focus on food as cultural identity in stories, supporting diverse diversity within Asian-American voices, writing about racism in childrens literature, and more.
CHECK ON YOUR FRIENDS.
This past year marked a tumultuous time for the United States vast Asian-American population of 20 million people. Let your AAPI friend know you support them after the alarming rise in hate crimes, and get together to watchAmy Tan: Unintended Memoir, an American Masterclass documentary that premiered at Sundance earlier this year.
BRING AUTHENTIC CUISINE TO THE TABLE.
Food connects and comforts so many of us. Pull outone of these cookbooks and be introduced tonew flavors and cooking methods from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Or, on May 19th, tune into a webinar hosted by Boston University associate professor Megan Elias.Elias will divulge the diverse history of Asian and Asian Pacific food in the US, track how traditional ingredients have made their way into the American diet and explore Asian-American cookbooks that made their mark.
SUPPORTAAPI-OWNED BUSINESSES.
Now is a particularly good time to highlight, celebrate, and support AAPI-owned restaurants, cafes, grocers and shops. Good Housekeeping has assembled agrowing list of over fortyAAPI-owned brands and businesses across the nation that you can shop today. Looking for somewhere local? Eateries likeMoonshine 152 in South Boston, Banh Mi Ba Le in Dorchester, Pagu/strong> in Cambridge and Lin's Little Kitchen in Newburyport arepart of a long tradition of strong, successful Asian women chefs and restaurateurs in the Boston area. Or, check out Boston's Chinatownbusiness directory for a guide to a few of our favorites, likeKaze Shabu Shabufor Asian fusion cuisine,Bao Bao Bakeryfor specialty cakes and pastry,Jia Ho Supermarketfor authentic groceries and Essex Corner for eclectic stationary and gifts.
HELP BUILD AAPI POWER.
On May 24th, join theAsian Community Fundand the Boston Foundation for a free data presentation assessing the currentneeds of AAPI communities. The presentation will be followed by a paneldiscussion with community leaders who will share how we can meet these needs and empower AAPI voices.
There are numerous other organizations across Boston you can contribute to at any time, including the Asian American Civic Association (AACA), Asian Community Development Corporation,Asian Women for Health, Boston Asian Youth Essential Service (YES), Chinese Progressive Association, NAAAP BostonandVietAID.
