May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States, a celebration month established by the U.S. government in 1992 to thank Asian Americans for their contributions to the country.
This year, in the context of racial discrimination against Asian Americans, how is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States?
Data map: Hundreds of people participated in a rally against discrimination against Asians in Millbrae, the San Francisco Bay Area.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan
origin
In the mid-19th century, Jeanie Jew's great-grandfather traveled from China to the United States to participate in railroad construction and later became a successful businessman in California, but was killed during a wave of Chinese exclusion.
Jenny Chu realizes that Asian Americans should not only be remembered for their contributions, but that all Americans should know about this history.
She went all over the place and co-sponsored a resolution on Asian Pacific American Heritage Week with then-New York Rep. Houghton and his chief of staff Moy.
On October 5, 1978, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution of Congress into law.
Since then, starting from the first weekend in May every year, the United States has held a seven-day Asian Pacific American Heritage Week.
May was chosen to commemorate two historic moments for Asian Pacific Americans: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the continental United States on May 7, 1843; and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was very Thanks in large part to the hard work of tens of thousands of Chinese laborers.
In 1992, the U.S. government established Celebration Month, which extended the festivities throughout the month of May.
celebrate
As is customary, all walks of life in the United States hold celebrations this month and recognize the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans in business, culture and politics. At the same time, they also hope to enhance mutual understanding among various ethnic groups through activities.
As one of the cities with the highest concentration of Asian Pacific American populations in the United States, the city departments of San Francisco in the United States also recently held celebrations with the theme of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
San Francisco Sheriff Scott said in a speech a few days ago that San Francisco has a rich Asian Pacific American culture, and he is proud that this culture has continued to the city's police department.
Data map: Chinatown Parade in San Francisco, USA.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan
A number of Asian communities in Chicago gathered in Chinatown to present Cantonese opera, dances of the “168 Fitness Dance Team” in Chinatown, Korean community waist drum, Japanese drums, folk dances by the Yellow River Art Troupe, and Thai special dances, fully demonstrating cultural diversity and richness. .
In addition, New York's first "Asia-Pacific American Traditional Culture Parade" hosted by the American Prosperous Chinatown Association was also held on Sixth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
The parade is composed of 17 floats, 90 antique cars, music cars and super new sports cars, lion dance team, dragon dance team, waist drum team, colorful flag team, Chinese Hanfu team and other 150 square formations, showing Chinese culture to the audience. Indians, Indians, etc. also brought unique cultural displays.
On the evening of May 17, New York Mayor Adams held an event to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Gracie Mansion, the mayor's official residence, and invited Asian Pacific American community leaders and civilians to have dinner, praising Asian Americans for their contribution to New York City's fight against the epidemic. sacrifice and contribution.
Data map: Chinese phalanxes perform Chinese-style dances.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Yu Ruidong
voice
At the same time as the celebration, racial discrimination and hate crimes against Asians have also attracted attention from all walks of life. Many Asians have voiced their voices, calling for unity and common fight against racial discrimination.
Huang Ping, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, said at the event in New York that the current "hatred of Asia" incidents are frequent, and Asian-Pacific Americans are suffering from racial discrimination and hate crimes. Everyone should unite, speak up bravely, and jointly defend their own interests.
It is hoped that governments at all levels in the United States will take practical measures to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Asian-Pacific Americans, so that everyone can live in peace and develop better locally.
Data map: Rally against discrimination against Asian Americans.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan
Ding Junhui, the Chinese mayor of Sunoma City, North Bay, signed the government announcement and formally apologized for the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Ding Junhui said that although the Chinese Exclusion Act has been repealed, racial discrimination is deeply rooted.
Chinese-American Congressman Meng Zhaowen believes that to fight racial discrimination, Asian-Pacific Americans should join hands to make a more effective voice.
She said, "Usually our parents may have a hard time understanding the meaning of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, because in their home country there may be only one ethnic group, but after coming to the United States, Asian Pacific Americans have become diverse, making all kinds of Asian Pacific American It is very important for us to join hands to make a louder and more effective voice.” (Article source: China Overseas Chinese Network WeChat Official Account ID: qiaowangzhongguo Author: Xu Wenxin)