Durham County

May Heritage & Cultural Highlight: AAPI Month  

About

Equitable Well-Being proudly recognizes and celebrates Asian American-Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Although we honor the AAPI community year-round, in the month of May we specifically highlight the contributions that the AAPI community have made to the history, society, and culture of the United States. In 1979, President Carter issued the first presidential proclamation for Asian American-Pacific Islander Heritage Week specifically noting May  7 and May 10. On May 7, 1843, the  first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, while on May 10, 1869, the first transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed with significant contributions from Chinese pioneers. In 1992, Congress passed Pub. L. No. 102-450, which permanently designated May of each year as “Asian American-Pacific Islander Heritage Month”, and in 2021 Vice President Kamala Harris became the highest-ranking politician of Asian-American decent in the US. By fostering a culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity, Durham County honors the legacy of those who have shaped history and continue to make a positive impact on society. 

Equitable Well-Being (EWB) Activities  

Haiku Poem Competition 

EWB invites you to join our Haiku Competition! Winner(s) will have their poem posted on the EWB Website and receive a prize!  

Haiku’s are short forms of poetry that originated in Japan and traditionally consists of three phrases composed of a 5, 7, 5 pattern. Here’s an example of a Haiku written by Bashō: 

On a withered branch 
A crow has alighted; 
Nightfall in autumn. 

Participants are encouraged to submit their entries by May 20 to equitablewell-being@dconc.gov.  

Guest Speaker: Dr. Felix Wang, James Madison University, May 8th 12pm-1pm via Teams 

AAPI Heritage Month Game Day: 5/30, 11:30am-1:30pm HHS Conference Room B&C 2nd Floor  

Connecting  

As we celebrate Asian American-Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we proudly highlight local institutions and organizations such as North Carolina Americans Together, Duke University , UNC Chapel Hill, all of which provide support and resources for the local AAPI community.  Nationally, check out the Asian Pacific American Center, The Federal Asian Pacific American Council, and the Asian Pacific Heritage website. These organizations all have AAPI Month programming and information to help you learn about the contributions and resilience of the Asian American-Pacific Islander community, and celebrate the impact on our city, county, state and country.  

Learning  

AAPI Heritage Month offers a crucial opportunity for deepening our understanding of the profound impact, resilience, and contributions of the Asian American Pacific Islander community throughout history. A book by Julie Otsuka, The Buddha in the Attic follows the lives of Japanese “picture brides” as they immigrate to California and attempt to assimilate and raise kids across a cultural divide. If you love poetry, check out Night Sky With Exit Wounds, by Ocean Vuong whose poems depict how the past informs and shapes the present, and how one moment irrevocably changes the next. Listen to The AuthEthnic Podcast which focuses on race, social issues, and the Asian American experience. Legends From The Pacific documents the folklore tales and traditions from Pacific Island nations across Asia, Australia, and the Americas. By actively participating in learning initiatives during this month, we not only honor the past but also contribute to fostering a more inclusive and enlightened future. Let's embrace the chance to broaden our perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and stand united in acknowledging diverse and influential Asian American-Pacific Islander history and future. 

Doing  

Wondering about ways to actively engage in dialogues and events? Here are a couple of upcoming opportunities that will allow you to dive deeper and contribute to understanding AAPI within and throughout the County of Durham.