APIDA Heritage Month

APIDA Heritage Month is a month that celebrates and recognizes the achievements and contribution of a diverse group of Americans. APIDA stands for Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American. Hence, APIDAs are peoples whose ethnicities, cultures, and traditions encompasses all of Asia, through the Pacific Islands, and all the way to the Hawaiian Islands. Typically celebrated in May, due to our campus schedule, part of the celebration for APIDA Heritage Month will begin in April.

This year’s theme for APIDA Heritage Month is "A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience," according to the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) who, in their website, states that “[t]his year’s theme honors the hard work of [APIDA] leaders who established a foundation for future generations to thrive and adapt to change and adversity.”

Historically, the celebration of APIDA heritage on this month began in June 1977 when then Representative of California, Norman Mineta, along with other members from the House of Representatives introduced a resolution to designate a week in May to commemorate the achievements and accomplishments of APIDAs. Representative Norman Mineta is an APIDA hero and leader who overcame the racial injustice of Japanese internment, was a World War II veteran, served in Congress, and was in the Cabinet of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Mineta’s proposition was compounded by Senator Daniel Inouye who introduced the Senate resolution designating the first ten days of May to celebrate what was identified as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. Senator Daniel Inouye is another APIDA hero to celebrate. The recipient of the Medal of Honor, the WWII Victory Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart, Inouye is a WWII veteran who served in the 442nd Infantry Regiment. Inouye is the first House Representative of Hawaii prior to his election as Senator. In October 23, 1992, the month of May became officially and permanently designated as APIDA Heritage Month.

There are many APIDAs in American history whose legacy of leadership and resilience are worth commemorating. Among them is Wong Kim Ark who challenged the US government when he was denied re-entry into the United States because of the Chinese Exclusion Act. The Supreme Court sided with Wong Kim Ark and it is his case that reemphasized birthright citizenship.

This month, different CSUN groups will host events commemorating APIDA Heritage. Please check out the calendar of events to join us for these celebrations.

Source: https://fapac.org

Zoom Backgrounds

We invite you to use one of the Zoom Backgrounds as we continue celebrating APIDA Heritage Month.

Zoom Backgrounds

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