In the month of May we celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) who have played a role in shaping American history, culture, and society. From the start of immigration to modern-day contributions, their journey is one of resilience and achievement.
Asian immigration began in the 19th century, with Chinese workers working on the Transcontinental Railroad. Later, Japanese, Filipino, and South Asian immigrants contributed to industries like agriculture and manufacturing, despite facing discriminatory laws such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 (National archives, https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act). The internment of Japanese Americans during World War II marked a dark period, yet the community endured and fought for civil rights in the decades that followed.
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act allowed for renewed immigration from Asia, expanding AAPI communities and enriching the nation’s diversity. Today, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders excel across industries, shaping fields like technology, business, arts, and politics.
H-B Woodlawn celebrates AAPI month in many ways. One way we celebrate it is by having an Asian cohort run by Hang the 10th grade chemistry teacher.On April 30th the Chua Lion dance company performed a lion dance,and on May 15th we will have our annual AAPI celebration where there will be student performances, dance and fashion shows, henna, boba and ice cream.
While AAPI Heritage Month celebrates Asian Americans contributions, challenges such as discrimination and misrepresentation have remained. Nevertheless, the AAPI community continues to advocate for equity and inclusion, ensuring that they will be honored for generations to come.
