Each May, the College of Social Sciences and Humanities joins communities across the United States in commemorating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM)—a time to recognize and honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.
At CSSH, APAHM is more than a moment of recognition—it is a call to reflection, celebration, and sustained action. We honor the generations of AANHPI individuals whose lived experiences, leadership, and scholarship have shaped the course of American history. From early immigration struggles and civil rights advocacy to groundbreaking achievements in science, policy, and the arts, AANHPI communities have navigated systemic barriers with profound courage and creativity.
Our college recognizes that these contributions are not confined to the past—they are actively shaping the present and future. APAHM serves as a platform to uplift AANHPI voices, support cultural expression, and expand our collective understanding of what it means to belong and lead in an evolving society.
2025 Theme: “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience”
This year’s national theme, “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience,” invites us to reflect on the unwavering strength that has defined AANHPI communities throughout history. Across generations, AANHPI leaders have risen to confront exclusion, injustice, and erasure—often doing so in ways that transformed their communities and institutions for the better.
Leadership, in this context, takes many forms. It lives in the visible achievements of public figures, elected officials, scholars, and cultural icons—but also in the quiet determination of families building new lives, activists organizing for justice, and students forging paths where none previously existed. Resilience is not merely about survival—it is about creating change in the face of adversity and redefining what is possible.
At CSSH, we proudly uplift those who continue to carry this legacy forward. Whether through research that informs policy change, community engagement that strengthens belonging, or education that disrupts injustice, our students, alumni, faculty, and staff are building upon this foundation of leadership and resilience each day. This theme reminds us that we are all responsible for nurturing and sustaining this legacy.
Recognizing the Diversity Within AANHPI Communities
The AANHPI umbrella encompasses a multitude of cultures, languages, faiths, and histories—including but not limited to East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander identities. These communities span broad geographic regions and include a rich tapestry of experiences, from recent immigrants to multigenerational citizens.
It is vital to acknowledge that AANHPI identities are not monolithic. Within this diverse constellation are distinct narratives of colonization, displacement, joy, and resistance. Some communities face invisibility and erasure, while others contend with harmful stereotypes that flatten their identities. True recognition means making space for the full range of AANHPI lived experiences—those marked by celebration and those shaped by struggle.
CSSH is committed to honoring these complexities through our curriculum, research, and campus culture. By centering intersectional narratives, supporting community-led scholarship, and fostering inclusive dialogue, we aim to create a learning environment that values depth over generalization and connection over assumption. We believe that true equity requires understanding the nuances that shape identity, belonging, and justice.
From Heritage to Advocacy
While APAHM is a time of cultural celebration, it is also a moment for honest reflection on the ongoing challenges faced by AANHPI communities. The rise in anti-Asian hate incidents in recent years has brought renewed attention to the ways in which racism, xenophobia, and systemic exclusion continue to affect AANHPI individuals across the United States.
These injustices are not new—they are rooted in a long history of discriminatory policies, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese American internment, and the colonial occupation of Pacific Islands. Today, these legacies persist in underrepresentation, racialized violence, and the marginalization of AANHPI voices in political and media spaces. Recognizing heritage must also mean confronting these truths with clarity and purpose.
At CSSH, we view heritage as a call to action. We are committed to fostering inclusive and anti-racist pedagogy, creating space for AANHPI voices in scholarship and public discourse, and cultivating solidarity across communities. Advocacy is not separate from heritage—it is one of its most powerful expressions. By supporting education, equity, and empowerment, we honor the past while building a more just future.
Ways to Engage This Month
There are many ways to engage with the spirit of APAHM this May—both on campus and in your own community. We encourage students, faculty, and staff to attend upcoming campus events at the Asian American Center and scholarly talks hosted by the Global Asian Studies Program. Beyond a symbolic monthly acknowledgement, APAHM month can ignite deeper learning about our shared past and the multi-faced contributions, struggles, and resilience of AANHPI communities.
We also invite you to explore the works of AANHPI authors like Carlos Bulosan, Fae Myenne Ng, Ocean Vuong; filmmakers like Robert Nakamura, Mira Nair, and Celine Song; and activists like Yuri Kochiyama, Philip Vera Cruz, and Ai-jen Poo. Their stories offer essential perspectives that deepen our understanding of identity and collective struggle. Supporting AANHPI-owned businesses, artists, and organizations is another meaningful way to invest in community well-being and cultural vitality.
For those looking to educate themselves further, resources from the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Library of Congress offer rich historical and cultural archives. Learning about the long and diverse history of AANHPI communities in the U.S. is a vital step toward building solidarity and allyship.
Closing Reflection
As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, let us hold space for both remembrance and renewal. Let us honor the leadership and resilience that have carried AANHPI communities forward through generations of challenge and triumph. Let us celebrate the joy, artistry, and intellect that continue to shape our world.
But above all, let us recommit—to building a CSSH community where every identity is valued, every voice is heard, and every student, faculty member, and staff member is empowered to lead with authenticity and purpose. A legacy is not something we inherit—it is something we continue, together.
