May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month offers an opportunity to explore the stories and perspectives of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Americans. The library strives to include such topics in programming and resources throughout the year; this month serves as a chance to focus the our efforts.
See the AANHPI Culture: Resource Guide for books, videos, websites, and educational materials relevant to AANHPI Heritage Month. A list of this month’s celebratory events is included below.
Events
Concert: Sungji Kim and Stanley Alexandrowicz
Sunday, May 04: 4 p.m.
Soprano Sungji Kim and classical guitarist Stanley Alexandrowicz present a concert of opera arias, lieder, virtuoso guitar solos and traditional Korean and Japanese songs.
Movie: “The Picture Bride”
Wednesday, May 7, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
A turn-of-the-century drama about a young Japanese woman sent to Hawaii for an arranged marriage made under false pretenses. Light refreshments will be served starting at 2:45 p.m.
Author: Steven Schwankert
Thursday, May 08: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
The author discusses and signs copies of his recently released book “The Six: The Untold Story of the Titanic’s Chinese Survivors” and explores how they survived against all odds.
Film: “English Vinglish”
Friday, May 16: 5:30pm – 8:00pm
In this iconic Bollywood film, a quiet housewife endures small slights from her well-educated husband and daughter every day because of her inability to speak and understand English.
Kids: Desi Day Saturday Storytime!
Saturday, May 17: 10:30am – 11:00am
This interactive, in-person story time features books, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and movement for children 2 years and up, accompanied by an adult.
Special Event: Desi Day
Saturday, May 17: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
A daylong celebration of “Desi” culture with a special story-time, an author panel, and a culture fair that shares South Asian culture with the community. Presented in partnership with Central Desi.
Film: “The Joy Luck Club”
Wednesday, May 21: 3:00pm – 5:15pm
Adapted from Amy Tan’s bestselling novel of the same name, this film follows four immigrant Chinese women and their American-born daughters. Light refreshments will be served starting at 2:45 p.m.
Kids: Take & Make
Saturday, May 24: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Stop by the third floor for a take-home maker activity kit inspired by the book “Shapes, Lines, and Light” by Katie Yamasaki.
History and Resources
See the AANHPI Culture: Resource Guide for books, videos, websites, and educational materials relevant to Women’s History Month.
In 1978, Congress passed, and President Jimmy Carter signed, a resolution designating an Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in May. Presidents renewed the week annually over the next decade. Congress expanded the observance from a week to a month in 1990, before passing a law in 1992 designating a permanent annual Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. President Joe Biden changed the name of the month to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month starting with his 2021 proclamation. May was selected for two reasons: to commemorate the first known arrival of Japanese immigrants in the United States and to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad by a workforce consisting of many immigrants from China.
This heritage month highlights a broad and diverse group, with members including “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).”
Content made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.