Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is observed every May as a time to celebrate the incredible impact that generations of AAPIs have made to American history, society and culture.
AAPI Heritage Month began as a week-long observation in the 1970s but became a permanently designated, month-long observation every May in the early 1990s under President George H.W. Bush.
While continued COVID-19 concerns have limited in-person events, there are a number of virtual programs available to learn more about AAPI contributions.
Alexandria Library is offering a variety of virtual programing this month. A few of these programs are highlighted here.
May 6 | 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Join Alexandria Library for a reading by Linda Watanabe McFerrin in honor of Asian Pacific Heritage Month, who will be speaking about the influence of her Japanese-American heritage on her writing. Watanabe McFerrin will also answer questions from participants after the reading.Her work sets out to navigate the divide not just between cultures and literary genres, but also between the spiritual and physical, between thought and desire, between individual and collective.
May 10 – 17
Watch a virtual video program about Japanese-American sculptor, Ruth Asawa. Learn about her life and art techniques, then try making her salt dough sculptures at home! The video will be on the Alexandria Library YouTube channel on May 10. Art kits will be available until May 17 while supplies last. Pick up a kit in person or through curbside pickup at the Kate Waller Barrett branch - just put ART EXPLORERS KIT in the description box when you make your appointment. Kits include non-toxic, washable paint. Kits will also include a Ruth Asawa fact sheet. Adult supervision may be required. Contact Vanessa Salo at vsalo@alexlibraryva.org or 703.746.1744 with any questions, comments or concerns.
May 20 | 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Asians and Pacific Islanders fought during the Civil War. Understanding their experiences is essential to understanding the scope of a conflict that defined the country for decades to come. National Park Service Ranger Kenya Finley-Jean will lead this virtual program.
For a complete list of Alexandria Library events for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, click here.
During the month of May, Fairfax County residents can pick up coloring sheets, word searches, crossword puzzles and other activities celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month from the Patrick Henry Library in Vienna. Teenagers are invited to participate in a month long AAPI art contest. A few other Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) events include the following:
May 10 | 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sumi-e is Japanese ink painting. Learn how to make your own work of art at this virtual event. Materials can be picked up at & returned to the Thomas Jefferson Library in Falls Church. A Zoom link will be sent on the day of the event. This event is appropriate for teens and adults. Registration is required.
May 25 | 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Indonesian Batik was designated as Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Wita Halim of Rumah, Indonesia will showcase batik an Indonesian technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the fabric to create exclusive patterns and designs in this virtual event. Sign up here to reserve a kit. Only 25 kits are available. An invitation to join this virtual class will be emailed 1 day prior to the event. This event is intended for adults.You will also need the following items at home: Iron and boardMicrowave for melting soy waxSmall pot of boiling waterPaper/plastic to cover workspaceBowl for dyeing fabric 10x10.
May 26 | 6:30 p.m. – 7: 30 p.m.
Local book authors Wendy Shang, Ellen Oh, Caroline Tung Richmond discuss how books serve as important tools to #StopAAPIHate by providing both “windows and mirrors” and connecting people together as part of the larger human experience. The panel will be moderated by Pat Tanumihardja. An invitation to join this presentation will be emailed 1 day prior to the event. Registration is required and will open on May 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Check out FCPL's other AAPI programming here.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is hosting a special online event on May 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to explore the breakthroughs of Asian American/Pacific Islander inventors. Listen to National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) inductees talk about their world-changing technological achievements and from inventors advancing the fight against COVID-19. Register for this free event here.
Consider also supporting local AAPI-owned businesses and restaurants this May and year round. Visit Alexandria recently put together a list of a handful of these businesses here.
