[NFBOH-Cleveland] Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

[smturner.234 at gmail.com]

Ohio Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 

The History of AAPI Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to
celebrate and honor the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders to American culture and history. But how did this observance come
to be? In this post, we'll take a look at the history of AAPI Heritage
Month.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AAPI HERITAGE MONTH

The first Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week was created by
New York Representative Frank Horton and Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, who
teamed up together to request that a week in May be celebrated as
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, including May 7th and 10th.

The dates were chosen to commemorate two important events in AAPI history:
the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7,
1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad, largely built by
Chinese immigrants, on May 10, 1869.

The first Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week was celebrated
with events and activities across the country, including festivals, parades,
and cultural exhibitions. The observance was well-received, and in 1990,
President George H.W. Bush signed a bill that expanded the week-long
observance to a month-long one.

Since then, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month has been
celebrated annually in May, with a focus on celebrating the history,
culture, and contributions of AAPI communities in the United States. The
observance has become an important time for AAPI communities to come
together and share their stories, traditions, and experiences with others.

Over the years, the observance has also become a time to reflect on the
challenges faced by AAPI communities. From the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882
to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to the recent
rise in anti-Asian violence and hate crimes, AAPI communities have faced
discrimination, racism, and violence throughout American history.

Despite these challenges, AAPI communities have persevered and made
significant contributions to American culture, history, and society. From
building the transcontinental railroad to fighting for civil rights to
creating innovative technologies, AAPI individuals have played a vital role
in shaping the United States.
As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May,
let us take the time to honor and appreciate the contributions of AAPI
communities, and let us renew our commitment to creating a more inclusive
and equitable society for all.


Cleveland celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
annually and this year is no exception.  The Cleveland Asian Festival
<https://www.thisiscleveland.com/events/annual-events/cleveland-asian-festiv
al>  is a grassroots event showcasing Cleveland's AsiaTown and its Asian
Culture.  The festival takes place May 18-19, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m. at Asia Plaza on Payne Avenue.  The festival offers free admission,
free parking with free shuttle bus rides to and from the festival from
designated Cleveland State University Parking Lots.  Please consider
attending and experiencing AsiaTown's festival splendor.