Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Join us in celebrating the rich history, culture, and contributions of AAPI humans.

AAPI Heritage

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage embodies the vibrant and multifaceted experiences of millions of humans who have contributed significantly to the fabric of American society.

Understanding and appreciating their heritage allows us to acknowledge the diverse perspectives, traditions, and struggles that have shaped the lived experiences of the AAPI community throughout history.

Chinese Japanese Korean Filipino Vietnamese Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Thai Cambodian Laotian Burmese Indonesian Malaysian Singaporean Sri Lankan Nepali Tibetan Mongolian Bhutanese Maldivian

Chinese Japanese Korean Filipino Vietnamese Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Thai Cambodian Laotian Burmese Indonesian Malaysian Singaporean Sri Lankan Nepali Tibetan Mongolian Bhutanese Maldivian

Hmong Taiwanese Afghan Iranian Iraqi Lebanese Palestinian Syrian Israeli Saudi Arabian Emirati Omani Yemeni Turkish Armenian Russian Uzbek Kazakh

Hmong Taiwanese Afghan Iranian Iraqi Lebanese Palestinian Syrian Israeli Saudi Arabian Emirati Omani Yemeni Turkish Armenian Russian Uzbek Kazakh

Tajik Azeri Georgian Samoan Tongan Fijian Native Hawaiian Guamanian/Chamorro Marshallese Palauan Micronesian

Tajik Azeri Georgian Samoan Tongan Fijian Native Hawaiian Guamanian/Chamorro Marshallese Palauan Micronesian

The AAPI community is incredibly diverse and comprises a wide range of ethnic groups. While it is difficult to provide an exact number due to the complexity of identities and regional variations, it is estimated that there are more than 50 distinct ethnic groups within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Here are some of the diverse ethnic groups that contribute to the rich tapestry of the AAPI community:

  • Chinese

  • Japanese

  • Korean

  • Filipino

  • Vietnamese

  • Indian

  • Pakistani

  • Bangladeshi

  • Thai

  • Cambodian

  • Laotian

  • Burmese

  • Indonesian

  • Malaysian

  • Singaporean

  • Sri Lankan

  • Micronesian

  • Nepali

  • Tibetan

  • Mongolian

  • Bhutanese

  • Maldivian

  • Hmong

  • Taiwanese

  • Afghan

  • Iranian

  • Iraqi

  • Lebanese

  • Palestinian

  • Syrian

  • Israeli

  • Saudi Arabian

  • Emirati

  • Palauan

  • Omani

  • Yemeni

  • Turkish

  • Armenian

  • Russian

  • Uzbek

  • Kazakh

  • Tajik

  • Azeri

  • Georgian

  • Samoan

  • Tongan

  • Fijian

  • Native Hawaiian

  • Guamanian/Chamorro

  • Marshallese

AAPI History

The narrative surrounding Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders has evolved significantly between the 1850s and the 1980s.

May 7, 1843

This marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States. The date holds significance as it represents one of the earliest documented instances of Japanese immigration to America.

May 10, 1869

On this date, the completion of the transcontinental railroad took place. Thousands of Chinese immigrant laborers played a crucial role in building this monumental infrastructure, connecting the East and West coasts of the United States.

1882

The Chinese Exclusion Act was signed into law on May 6, 1882. It was the first significant U.S. federal law that restricted immigration based on a specific ethnic group, targeting Chinese immigrants and barring their entry.

1907

The Gentlemen's Agreement was reached between the United States and Japan. This informal agreement restricted Japanese immigration to the United States, reflecting the discriminatory attitudes prevalent at the time.

December 7, 1941

The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Empire marked a turning point in World War II and had profound consequences for Japanese Americans. It led to widespread suspicion, discrimination, and the internment of Japanese Americans during the war.

1943

The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed on December 17, 1943, due to changing geopolitical circumstances and the need for China's alliance during World War II. This repeal was an important milestone in the fight against discriminatory immigration policies.

1965

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 was signed into law on October 3, 1965. This legislation abolished national origin quotas and introduced a system based on family reunification and employment preferences, leading to increased Asian immigration.

1968

On April 22, 1968, the Black Panther Party organized the "Free Huey" rally in Oakland, California. During the event, an altercation occurred, resulting in the deaths of Asian American journalist Richard Aoki and Black Panther member Bobby Hutton. This event highlighted the complex intersections of Asian American and African American communities in the civil rights movement.

1982

Vincent Chin, a Chinese American, was brutally beaten to death in a racially motivated attack in Detroit, Michigan, on June 19, 1982. His tragic murder galvanized the Asian American community, sparking a significant civil rights movement and raising awareness about hate crimes.

2021

On May 20, 2021, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act was signed into law. This legislation addresses the increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to improve reporting, support victims, and combat anti-Asian discrimination.

FACTS

  • U.S. Population

    The AAPI population in the United States has grown rapidly over the past few decades. As of 2020, it is estimated that AAPIs make up approximately 6% of the U.S. population, totaling around 23 million people.

  • Rich Cultural Diversity

    The AAPI community is incredibly diverse, comprising more than 50 ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages and dialects, representing distinct cultures, traditions, and histories.

  • Contributions to the U.S. Economy

    Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. As of 2021, AAPI-owned businesses generated over $700 billion in revenue and employed millions of people across various industries.

  • Pacific Islander Connections

    Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians, Samoans, and Chamorros, have unique cultural identities and have made significant contributions to American culture, particularly in areas such as sports, music, and the military.

Additional Resources

What can you do?

We all have the power to take action, both with our individual mindsets and behaviors as well as with the positional power and influence we have to embrace and celebrate AAPI Heritage.

  1. Understand the terminology.

Identity is personal. When you assume another human’s identity, it can have professional and personal repercussions impacting team collaboration, psych safety and create insider/outsider.

2. Eliminate Microaggressions.

Subtle forms of racisms happen - too often - and are pervasive also impacting an individual’s psych safety. Expand your awareness which will empower you to engage more productively and connect with AAPI humans around you.

3. Have a R.I.C.H. Dialogue.

Don’t assume you know someone’s race, identity, culture or heritage because they speak another language. Ask questions, download our R.I.C.H. Dialogues Self-Study Guide & Workbook.

4. Seek out experiences outside of your comfort zone radius (CZR) and learn something new.

Watch documentaries like The Learning, Manzanar Fishing Club, and Minding the Gap to better understand Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage.

"One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me is my name."

— Amy Tan