Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with The Multicultural Man

AAPI stories showcase the diversity that exists within the community. Learn more!

May 28, 2024

Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! While May is nearing its end, there’s still time to celebrate and reflect on this important observance. AAPI Heritage Month is dedicated to recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Americans on the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

Last year, I participated in a focus group organized by Interfaith America discussing the experiences of the AAPI community. One central question was: what does it mean to be AAPI? The AAPI community is incredibly diverse, bringing together Americans with connections to Asia and the Hawaii-Pacific Islands, whether through ethnicity, parental origins, or other ties.

As I listened to others’ stories, this question became even more prominent. While many experiences were similar, they were also unique. To fit all experiences under the AAPI umbrella can seem like a disservice, as it doesn’t fully capture the rich diversity within the community. Certain groups within the AAPI community face unique challenges such as discrimination or hate. Addressing these challenges requires a nuanced understanding of the racial and religious diversity of the community.

Despite these challenges, there is a strong sense of solidarity and community support within the AAPI community. We are American, many of us born and raised here like other non-AAPI community members, while others may have moved here and obtained citizenship. This showcases the diversity of what Americans look like. We have connections to countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands, but we are also American and contribute to American history and identity.

In the report that Interfaith America published based on the findings from the focus groups, they state:

AAPI storytelling should include historic as well as present-day narratives. Our findings suggest that combating the effects of racism requires not only fuller expression of Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ complex racial identities and greater visibility for today’s AAPI leaders and changemakers. Rather, building racial and cultural literacy through storytelling and education is necessary and should convey the pain and hope experienced by AAPI communities over time — in their own voices.

This is what I hope to achieve with The Multicultural Man.

I want to highlight a few interviews I conducted with members of the AAPI community. Check out their stories below:

By sharing these stories, we can help build a more inclusive understanding of the AAPI community and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that contribute to the American experience.