AAPI Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month celebrated in May
In May, we look at how stereotyping of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is both prevalent and hurtful. Please watch these two short videos to hear youth speak about what they’d like you to know.
Asia
Did you know? The label “Asian” is an extremely broad category referring to people originating from the most populated continent in the world. Asia is home to 60% of the world’s population (4.7 billion) and encompasses more than 50 countries with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages. And yet in general, people mistakenly assume Asian
Americans are descendants from only a handful of countries.
Pacific Islanders
Did you know? There are 15 Pacific Island countries that encompass more than 5000 islands which span millions of square miles of ocean with tremendous cultural variation and traditions. In the Pacific Islands, more than 1500 languages are spoken, which is 25% of the languages in the world. Indigenous cultural heritage has remained strong on some islands and is vulnerable on others.
How many Asian and Pacific Island countries can you name?
See complete list below
South Asia countries Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan India Iran The Maldives Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka | Southeast Asia countries Brunei Cambodia Indonesia Laos Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Timor-Leste Vietnam Thailand | East Asia Regions/Countries: China Hong Kong Japan Macau Mongolia North Korea South Korea Taiwan |
Central Asia countries Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan | Western Asia countries Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Cyrus Georgia Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Palestine Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Turkey Yemen | Pacific Island countries Fiji French Polynesia Kiribati Micronesia Marshall Islands Nauru New Caledonia New Zealand Northern Mariana Palau Solomon Islands Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu Wallis and Futuna |
Asian American Movies:
Everything Everywhere All At Once
When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse. Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan star in this movie that won 7 Oscars in 2022. EEAAO Trailer
Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings
Martial Arts master Shang-Chi confronts the past he thought he left behind when he’s drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization. Starring Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, and Simu Liu. 2021 PG 13 Shang-Chi Trailer
Turning Red
A thirteen-year-old girl is torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the changes of adolescence. And as if the challenges were not enough, whenever she gets overly excited she transforms into a giant red panda. Turning Red Trailer
Thirteen Lives
This movie is based on a true story of 12 young Thai soccer players and their coach who become trapped in a cave. Thai Navy SEALS and the local community work tirelessly to rescue them. Directed by Ron Howard. This is a riveting and heartwarming story about how people help in times of crisis. PG-13 2022 Thirteen Lives Trailer
Chang Can Dunk
This coming of age story is about Xiao Ming “Bernard” Chang, a sophomore high school band nerd who tries out for basketball. Chang is dealing with stereotypes and judgments from classmates and family. This Disney sports drama is rated PG. 2023 Chang Can Dunk Trailer
Crazy Rich Asians
Rachel Chu travels with her boyfriend to visit his family in Singapore only to discover his extreme wealth and unwelcoming mother. But as a game theory professor, Rachel uses her skills to play for love. Romantic comedy. PG 13. 2018
Slumdog Millionaire
The story of a young boy from a slum in Mumbai who pays attention to every moment of his life. By remembering it all, his life changes. 2009 Oscars: Best Picture, Director, Original Score + 5 more. Rated R. With actor Dev Patel. Slumdog Millionaire Trailer
Asian TV
American Born Chinese
Jin Wang is a high school kid living in a Chinese immigrant family. On his first day of 10th grade at a new high school, his life starts to cross into a battle of Chinese mythological gods. As he faces many high school issues, his heritage reveals itself. Michele Yeoh also stars in this 8- episode Disney action-comedy. Rated: PG 14 2023 American Born Chinese Trailer
Crash Landing on You
While paragliding in Seoul, a South Korean heiress gets blown by a tornado into North Korea. She is rescued by an elite member of the Korean People’s Army who then houses her in his little village. This is an extremely popular K-drama with 17 episodes full of humor, history, culture and a love story and some violence. TV-14 2020. Crash Landing On You Trailer
Hometown Cha Cha Cha
One of Korea’s most popular romantic comedies is set in a small seaside village of Gongjin. A successful dentist suddenly moves to the village and meets a handyman and village chief. The village is full of charming characters who support their love story. 16 episodes. Mostly romance and comedy with a little violence. TV-14 2021 Hometown Cha Cha Cha Trailer
Pachinko
A TV series based on Min Jin Lee’s book. See book review below. This epic spans 100 years and shows life in rural Korean villages to modern Tokyo. It’s a history lesson from the viewpoint of a rural Korean woman, Sunja. Mature audiences. 2022-24 Pachinko Trailer
Arrietty
A Japanese animated classic film from Studio Ghibli about the tiny people who live in homes and gardens. This is a story about a boy who befriends one tiny person named Arrietty. 2010. Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. Good for children. Arrietty Trailer
Asian Documentaries & Reality TV
Asian Street Food
This is a “mouth watering” documentary of the people and street food in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. These short segments dive into the history, culture and skill of the street food chefs. 2019
The Elephant Whisperers
A couple in southern India care for orphaned baby elephants in the forests of Tamil Nadu. At this 140 year old sanctuary for elephants, this couple lives in harmony with both elephants and the forest. This 2022 documentary is 41 minutes and beautifully filmed.
The Elephant Whisperers Trailer
Indian Matchmaking
Mumbai’s top matchmaker Sima Taparia uses traditional methods to help single people find partners for marriage. The show is full of Indian culture and tradition and interviews couples with arranged marriages. It is light-hearted. 2020-23
Asian Books
Pachinko – Min Jin Lee
Pachinko follows one Korean family through four generations, beginning in the early 1900s. Sunja is the daughter of a poor and strong family, whose unplanned pregnancy threatens to derail her life. Through Sunja’s journey to Japan, Pachinko shows the challenges of poverty and discrimination Koreans faced during this period of history.
For ages 16 and up.
How Much of these Hills is Gold – C Pam Zhang
Lucy and Sam are 12 and 11. Children of Chinese laborers, they take their father’s body on a journey through the California hills in the middle of the Gold Rush. The quest for burial, the family strife, the host sun, the dust, the storms, all recall Faulker.
Ages 12 and up.
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning – Cathy Park Hong
Explores the purgatory state that Asian-Americans are stuck in as immigrants who have an image of non-white and non-black, who don’t speak, disturb, or make any impression at all.
For adults.
Asian American Children’s Books
Eyes That Kiss In The Corners – Joanna Ho
This stunning picture book tells a story about learning to love and celebrate Asian-shaped eyes, and is a celebration of diversity. A young Asian girl notices her eyes look different from her peers.
Front Desk Series by Kelly Yang
Ten year old Mia Tang and her family face challenges and have adventures in this 5 book series. 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature.
Recommended for ages 8-12.
The Name Jar – Yangsook Choi
The Name Jar explores questions about difference, identity, and culture assimilation. When Uhnei, a young Korean girl, moves to America with her family and arrives at a new school, she begins to wonder if she should also choose a new name. Her classmates suggest Daisy, Miranda, Lex, and more, but nothing seems to fit.
Bringing in the New Year – Grace Lin
This story follows a Chinese American Family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year.
To be read to a child in preschool.
Dim Sum for Everyone -Grace Lin
What is dim sum and why is it so fun to eat? Find out in this2014 book for children ages 1-4.
The Empty Pot – Demi
This is a story about a Chinese boy Ping, who loved flowers. The Emperor loves flowers too and sets up a competition. Eventually Ping must speak the truth to the Emperor. This is a story about honesty. Ages 4-7
Magic Ramen – Andrea Wang
This true story is about Momofuko Ando who was inspired to make ramen to feed the hungry and poor in Japan after WW2. His persistence pays off.
For readers ages 4-8. 2019
I Live in Tokyo – Mari Takabayashi
7 year old Mimiko lives in Tokyo and this book shows her life, celebrations, favorite meals and how to wear a kimono. A picture book for young readers 4-7.
Festival of Colors – Kabir Sehgal & Surishtaha Sehgal
The authors are a mother/son duo.
This beautiful book is the story of a family in India preparing for the Holi Festival. Preschool.
The Wheels on the Tuk Tuk – Kabir Sehgal & Surishtaha Sehgal
This colorful book is a twist on the Wheels on the Bus nursery rhyme and shows life in India on the Tuk Tuk. For ages 1-4.
Gibberish – Young Vo
A story of a boy who, after a long trip, ends up on a school bus full of children that speak gibberish. Artfully told from a perspective often ignored, you’ll follow Dat as he starts to understand his surroundings and vice versa. It’s Dat’s first day of school in a new country.
Inside Out and Back Again – Thahhla Lai
Newbery Book Award. The author, a Vietnamese refugee, writes about the experiences of leaving Vietnam and coming to America. Ages 9-13
Write to Me: Letters from Japanese American Children to the Librarian they left behind – Cynthia Grady
2019 collection of edited letters from children who were sent to Japanese internment camps during WW2 and wrote letters to their librarian who gave them books before they left. Ages 6-9
Pacific Islander Movies
Island Soldier
The untold story of Micronesian citizens fighting America’s wars. Through the personal odyssey of the Nenas, one family experiences the consequences of military service, as they represent a pristine Pacific island on the brink of economic collapse. 2017. PG 14 Islander Soldier Trailer
Vai
A feature film by 9 female Pacific filmmakers and filmed on seven Pacific islands. It is about the journey of empowerment through culture over the lifetime of one woman, Vai. 2019. PG Vai Trailer
Moana
Moana sails out on a daring mission to save her people and meets the once-mighty demigod Maui, who guides her in her quest to become a master way-finder. Together they sail across the ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering impossible odds. Along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers her strength. Moana Trailer
Kumu Hina
An exploration of gender diversity, tradition and acceptance in Hawaii as a transgender teacher supports an outwardly female student in leading an all-male hula performance despite the confusion of some in their Honolulu community. 2014 Kumu Hina Trailer
Pacific Islander Books
Ohana Means Family – Ilima Loomis
Readers see the Ohana’s connection to the earth in rain, sun, and mud. Finally, the family gathers at the end of the day together on a beach to eat and celebrate. Ohana Means Family Amazon Link
Punky Aloha – Shar Tuiasoa
Grandma sends Punky to get her butter for the banana bread. To help her be brave about going alone, Grandma gives her magical brave glasses. Grandma reminds her to share her aloha, “Be helpful. Be giving. Be brave.” On the way to the market, Punky uses that advice and helps a pig, a bee, and a little boy. Punky Aloha Amazon Link
The Bone People – Keri Hulme
Kerewin, a despairing part-Maori artist, is convinced that her solitary life is the only way to face the world. Her cocoon is blown away by the sudden arrival during a rainstorm by Simon, a mute six-year-old whose past seems to hold a terrible trauma. Adult. The Bone People Amazon Link
Island Of Shattered Dreams – Chantal T. Spitz
Tracks the love affairs of family generations of Tahitian and mixed-race people within a colonial color hierarchy and shows the struggle to maintain cultural continuity and sense of belonging in the face of growing separation from the land. Island of Shattered Dreams Amazon Link
The Ocean in the School: Pacific Islander Students Transforming Their University – Rick Bonus
Tells the stories of Pacific Islander students as they and their allies struggled to transform a university they believed did not value their presence. Dozens of interviews with students he taught, advised, mentored from 2004-2018 at the University of Washington. The Ocean School Barnes & Noble Link
Reppin’: Pacific Islander Youth and Native Justice – Keith L. Camacho
This explores Pacific Islander youth cultures in New Zealand, Australia, Hawai’i, and Tonga, and the legacies of colonization, incarceration, and militarization. Reppin’ illuminates the power of Pacific Islander youth to reshape the present and future. Reppin’ Amazon Link
