What is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month?
AANHPI Heritage Month–which occurs throughout May–is a time for reflecting and celebrating the culture, achievements, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The recognition of AANHPI Heritage Month originated in the United States in the late 1970s, when it was initially observed as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week and spanned across the first ten days of May. The duration was eventually expanded upon by a Congressional resolution in 1990 to become a month-long celebration. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation recognizing May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI); it was once again changed in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed a proclamation recognizing the month as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. College students across the United States are a select group that celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month beginning in April because most universities want to allow students to participate in festivities before the end of the Spring semester.
Why do we need AANHPI Heritage Month? How does this connect with “Stop Asian Hate?”
Around the world, people gather to commemorate the contributions and legacy of AANHPI individuals in celebratory notions as well as continuing rally cries to “Stop Asian Hate”. Stop AAPI Hate is a social movement and a national organization about resisting harassment and crimes against the AANHPI community. As stated on their website, Stop AAPI Hate formed “[…] to document the rise of COVID-19-related anti-Asian racism in the early stages of the global pandemic and joined forces to launch an online reporting center.”