This month and always, May we honor and celebrate Asian heritage

The month of May is more than just warmer weather, blooming flowers, and the slow march toward the end of the school year. It is a month celebrating the diverse cultures and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). This tradition marks the 33rd year since President George H. W. Bush and his administration first allowed May to be federally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 1992, through the passing of Public Law 102-450.

AAPI individuals make up 15 percent of Montgomery County’s population, and over 7 percent of the United States. The term encompasses a myriad of different ethnicities and cultures, from India to China to Japan to the Philippines, all the way to Indonesia and to Thailand, among so many more distinct regions. As people from such countries have migrated to the United States, creating new lives and communities upon their arrival, new food, music, traditions, and other cultural aspects have arrived with them.

In Silver Spring, it is difficult to ignore all that our AAPI residents have contributed to the area. The South and Southeast Asian (SSEA) club hosts a variety of events to highlight and honor AAPI heritage. This year the celebrations included a tea tasting event, during which people enjoyed teas and snacks from South and Southeast Asia, as well as a fan-decorating event. The club also collaborated with K.O. Crew, Blair’s K-pop dance team, to run an AAPI showcase on May 22nd where different groups of Asian heritage sang, danced, and performed in other ways. SSEA additionally hosted a karaoke event and a panel focusing on myths and misconceptions around AAPI students.

Each AAPI month, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, or FAPAC, chooses a theme for the year. This year, the theme was “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience.” In correspondence with this theme, Sai Ginsburg-Shukla, manager of the club’s social media account, shared that highlighting the most influential voices and pioneers within the community should be a priority in celebration of the month. “A main takeaway from the month should definitely be acknowledging the contributions and achievements of the AAPI leaders who have changed the lives of many, as well as paved the way for those in their footsteps,” Ginsburg-Shukla said.

During the 1960s, after the passage of civil rights legislation banning discrimination in housing, jobs, and other institutions, as well as the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which lifted racial quotas for immigration, Asians began to migrate to the United States from their respective countries in much larger numbers. Alongside these broader demographic changes, Montgomery County experienced a significant upsurge in its Asian population as well.

Over the years, many of the most distinguished community leaders and figures have been of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage. A range of Asian-run restaurants have also established themselves as beloved spots to frequent in search of fresh, authentic cuisine.

Ginsburg-Shukla expressed that AAPI people deserve to be acknowledged as irreplaceable members of the narrative of our area and its history. “There have been so many people who are part of the AAPI community who have done so much good for our community and our future generations,” she said. “Appreciating and recognizing their talents and contributions can help our community grow more inclusive and diverse, as well as build bridges, break barriers, and improve understanding and relationships.”

Although AAPI history, culture, and people should be honored at all times of year, May allows for their stories to be given particular attention and appreciation for a moment. And with that, happy AAPI month!