It’s a few weeks late but better late than never…May is Asian/Pacific Heritage Month. For those that don’t know, don’t care, or had no idea, this month has been established by Congress as a month-long celebration since 1992. Huh? Yes, since 1992.
“In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed on May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the 10-day observance to a month-long celebration.”
Does anyone know or care? Do you have any heroes [besides Hiro Nakamura from NBC's Heroes!] that are of Asian-American descent? Many Asian-Americans have contributed to the history, culture, and landscape of this country. And yet, many more need to step forward and shed the image of ‘meekness’ and “passivity” to have their voices heard – in whatever arena. One of the main reasons why I have chosen to blog is to do my small part to be a voice, face, and storyteller. To the millions that have come before me [including my parents who boldly immigrated to this country 30 years ago with the hopes of giving their three sons an opportunity for a life they could never experience] – thank you for your courage and sacrifice. Thank you for paving the way. May we not only respect and honor our ancestors and predecessors, but may we truly be compelled to contribute to the beauty and welfare of the larger nation and world.
Very Worthwhile Reads|Views:
US Census Press Release | KQED Snapshots of Asian-America | CNN’s Uncovering America: The Asian American Journey | Video below entitled, “What’s Your Ethnic Makeup?”
Some interesting stats [from the US Census Press Release]:
14.4 million
The estimated number of U.S. residents in July 2005 who said they were Asian or Asian in combination with one or more other races. This group comprised about 5 percent of the total population. California had the largest population (4.9 million) of people of this group.
3%
Percentage growth of the Asian population between 2004 and 2005, the highest of any race group during that time period. The increase in the Asian population over the period totaled 421,000.
3.3 million
Number of Asians of Chinese descent. Chinese-Americans are the largest Asian detailed group, followed by Filipinos (2.8 million), Asian Indians (2.5 million), Vietnamese (1.5 million), Koreans (1.4 million) and Japanese (1.2 million).
49%
The percentage of single-race Asians 25 and older who have a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education. This compares to 27 percent for all people 25 and older.
20%
The percentage of single-race Asians 25 and older who have a graduate or professional degree (e.g., master’s or doctorate). This compares with 10 percent for all people 25 and older.
$61,094
Median household income for single-race Asians in 2005, the highest among all race groups. Median household income differed greatly by Asian group. For Asian Indians, for example, the median income in 2005 was $73,575; for Vietnamese-Americans, it was $50,925.
11.1%
Poverty rate for single-race Asians in 2005, up from 9.8% in 2004.
17.9%
Percentage of single-race Asians without health insurance coverage in 2005, up from 16.5 percent in 2004.
293,321
The number of single-race Asian-American military veterans. About one in three was 65 and older.
33.4 million
The projected number of U.S. residents in 2050 who will identify themselves as single-race Asians. They would comprise 8 percent of the total population by that year.
Filed under: asian-american
That was a hilarious but awesome video.
Asian American heroes….hmm. First of all, my parents. Also, one of my sociology professors who teaches classes about race, gender, and class stratification (he is Japanese American). Another, Daewon Song, a Korean-American professional skateboarder.
My Asian-American heroes: Bruce Lee, Col. Young Oak Kim, Harold Hongju Koh, David Gibbons, Ken Fong, Jhumpa Lahiri, Mike Shinoda, Younghill Kang, Michael Chang, Hines Ward, NY City Councilman John Liu, Angry Asian Man, my Korean school teachers, my Sunday school teachers, my parents…
One of my very first heroes was my aunt, who is Japanese. She was one of the first adults in my life, outside of my parents, that I can remember interacting with. She has had a big influence on that side of my family. I have not had contact with her for many years, but I still remember her influence on my young life.
Another one would be writer Amy Tan. The Joy Luck Club was one of the first times I realized that women’s stories about their painful reality could be redemptive.