It’s AAPI Heritage Month
- Human Central
- May 7, 2021
- 2 min read
By: Krystal Nguyen
We have a month to appreciate Asian American and Pacific Islanders' impact in our country, and even the world. This is historical because of Chinese immigrants playing a huge role in the building of the transcontinental railroad, Japanese American internment during World War 2, the Chinese Exclusion Acts, colonialism, and so much more. Most people usually have minimal knowledge about AAPI contributions. So, why don’t we dig into the influences of Asian American culture in America’s society?
Amanda Nguyễn on Instagram_ “The Overlap of Anti-Asian Racism & Sexual Violence”
The typical American may go out for a casual takeout or follow the trends that seem to be spreading without really recognizing where they came from. In a country full of different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities, there is bound to be a cultural blend. Food like pad thai, pho, wontons, curry, sushi and lumpia are from the roots of Asian culture but now have dominated the American food industry as well. However, fortune cookies are not on the list because it’s an American tradition; although many Chinese restaurants still serve them, odd isn’t it.
I think I speak for at least most Asian Americans when I say we just want to be appreciated as people like our food is appreciated by many other Americans.
Tiktok and Vogue have seemed to popularize the gua sha self-care practice, which dates back to an ancient Chinese medical practice. It requires a curvy jade tool that is meant to sculpt certain areas of the face to enhance the look of one’s bone structure. Another Chinese beauty practice popular in America is acupuncture. Within entertainment, anime, k-pop, and k-drama seem to have made themselves known all over the world and spreading their fan base beyond its Asian roots, which is great! I love to see Asian culture spreading and the continuity of practices; however, its history shouldn’t go unnoticed.
A problem we face isn’t about not being recognized, it’s about the growing divide and hatred towards the community as a whole for things we cannot control. The incentives behind Asian hate crimes may vary, but they’re all the same, in one thing - people are targeted because of who they are, Asian.
Photo courtesy of New York Commission on Human Rights.
Having contributed to American society so much, I hope that everyone around the world can acknowledge fellow AAPI every day and especially during this month.
So here is a list of influential AAPI who have played a major role in our society to get you started on recognizing AAPI impact.
Written by: Krystal Nguyen
Website: Human Central
Published: 7 May 2021
Comments