May 1 marks the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month across the United States. San Diego Wave FC encourage all Wave FC fans to join us this month in celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of the more than 24 million AANHPI people in the U.S., and more than 425,000 people in San Diego county.
For those considering utilizing their time or resources this May to honor and celebrate, here is a list of resources and events to consider supporting, attending, or learning from this month. Click on the individual names to visit their websites and learn more about the independent work these organizations are striving to achieve. If there are additional organizations and/or resources you believe we should provide our platform to, please send your suggestions to [email protected].
History:
In 1977, Congress introduced House Joint Resolution 540 to proclaim the first ten days in May as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. In the same year, Senator Daniel Inouye introduced a similar resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 72. Neither of these resolutions passed, so in June 1978, Rep. Horton introduced House Joint Resolution 1007. This resolution proposed that the President should “proclaim a week, which is to include the seventh and tenth of the month, during the first ten days in May of 1979 as ‘Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.’” This joint resolution was passed by the House and then the Senate and was signed by President Jimmy Carter on October 5, 1978 to become Public Law 95-419 (PDF, 158kb). This law amended the original language of the bill and directed the President to issue a proclamation for the “7 day period beginning on May 4, 1979 as ‘Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.’” During the next decade, presidents passed annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week until 1990 when Congress passed Public Law 101-283 (PDF, 166kb) which expanded the observance to a month for 1990. Then in 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-450 (PDF, 285kb) which annually designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.
Events:
AAPI Cultural Festival — Saturday, May 20 from 2-5 pm, this festival at Ocean Beach Library will have crafts, special story times, dance and music performances, and educational activities.
Asian American Joy — Saturday, May 20 from 12-3:30 pm, North University Community Library is hosting a celebration of Asian American heritage inclusive of dance, performing arts, and language workshops.
Children’s Day at the Japanese Friendship Garden — Friday, May 5 from 10-4 pm, the garden will invite guests to make special koinobori, play games, and eat kashiwamochi.
Convoy Nights: API Heritage Month Edition — Saturday, May 6 from 4-10 pm, Kilowatt Brewing is celebrating May with the Convoy District, San Diego Asian Pacific Islander (API) Coalition, and Asian Business Association to highlight an amazing array of local vendors with the perfect gifts for friends and family and to enjoy Spring. Open to the public and free to attend for all ages.
Flapping Sarimanok Puppet Craft — Select days from May 3-May 15, participants will learn all about the Sarimanok fable, and then create their very own extraordinary puppet with flapping wings.
Story Time and Crafts at City Libraries — Libraries across the city are hosting story times and crafts that explore Asian culture and languages.
Pacific Islander Festival Luau Fundraiser — May 25 at 5 pm at Bali Hai Restaurant featuring live entertainment by Ka Hula O’Ilima and DJ Mikeski.
Businesses:
Explore the Asian Business Association San Diego to learn about the over 30,000 Asian Pacific Islander owned businesses they represent throughout San Diego County. ABASD offers educational workshops, technical assistance, business mentorship, and access to capital to minority-owned small and disadvantaged businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups — in hard-to-reach communities.
Created by then-high school senior Kaia Culotta, HelpAsianBiz is a comprehensive list of Asian-owned restaurants in San Diego.
Resources:
SanDiego.edu’s resource guide to AANHPI Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Coalition — a community-based, non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to cultivate civic engagement to forward the voices of San Diego’s Asian Pacific American community.
Asian Solidarity Collective — a grassroots movement and power-building organization in San Diego activating Asian American communities and moving them into action to create profound radical, sustainable and fundamental change in the world through organizing, community care and personal ecology.
Queer APIMEDA Coalition — building capacity and leaders within the LGBTQ+ Desi, Middle-Eastern, Pacific Islander, Asian community to promote connectivity, combat stereotypes and racism, and mobilize our civic and economic power.
Union of Pan Asian Communities — improving the general well-being and education of the Asian, Pacific Islander and other ethnic communities of San Diego County.
Pacific Arts Movement — one of the largest media arts organizations in North America that focuses on Asian American and Asian international cinema.
PBS Asian Americans Docuseries
