Ooops, I've been remiss
With the bar angst (and frankly, no longer being in a job where this is important), I completely forgot to mention that May is Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage month. Happy APA May!
So, what exactly does this mean? Well, not much to most people. But it does give the federal government and the schools the opportunity to sit back and plan educational programs about the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in history.
In honor of my APA heritage, here's my contribution to celebrating APA achievements... Did you know that:
Patsy Mink was the first woman of color to be elected to Congress? Yup, she arrived in DC in 1965, beating Shirley Chisholm by four years (= two Congresses). Mink was a peace advocate and was an early objector to the war in Vietnam, such that she was given the moniker "Patsy Pink" for her liberal views. She was the mother of Title IX (thank you, Mrs. Mink!), and she gave voice to the needs of overlooked and underserved communities. Mink's career was marked by firsts, and she was a remarkable woman.
Another "first" whom I greatly admire is General Eric Shinseki, the first Asian American to become a four-star general and to serve as the Chief of Staff of the Army. He is epitome of a true officer and gentleman and a leader of integrity and tremendous dignity. (We all know what I'm talking about here.)
Or how about Dalip Singh Saund? He was the first Asian American to be elected to Congress, where he served from 1957 to 1963.
I think most people now know about the internment of the Japanese American community during World War II -- and the lessons that history holds for contemporary society -- but do folks know about Angel Island, the "Ellis Island of the West" where Chinese (and other Asian) immigrants were detained and interrogated before being admitted to the US or denied entry (and sent back to China) or being held indefinitely? That era in American history is all about the Chinese Exclusion Act (and subsequent amendments) -- the only chapter of the 15 chapters in Title 8 (Aliens and Nationality) that is completely focused on a specific nationality or ethnic group.
And knowing that, it won't surprise anyone that another often and grossly overlooked historical factoid is that Chinese laborers built the trans-continental railroad. Without them, it simply would not have happened. But whenever you see those historical photos of the golden spike being hammered at Promontory Point, do ya' see any Chinese?
Hmmm, I don't. They just didn't get no respect.
And that's one of many, many reasons why it's important that there is an Asian Pacific American Heritage month -- and that we celebrate it.
So, what exactly does this mean? Well, not much to most people. But it does give the federal government and the schools the opportunity to sit back and plan educational programs about the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in history.
In honor of my APA heritage, here's my contribution to celebrating APA achievements... Did you know that:
Patsy Mink was the first woman of color to be elected to Congress? Yup, she arrived in DC in 1965, beating Shirley Chisholm by four years (= two Congresses). Mink was a peace advocate and was an early objector to the war in Vietnam, such that she was given the moniker "Patsy Pink" for her liberal views. She was the mother of Title IX (thank you, Mrs. Mink!), and she gave voice to the needs of overlooked and underserved communities. Mink's career was marked by firsts, and she was a remarkable woman.
Another "first" whom I greatly admire is General Eric Shinseki, the first Asian American to become a four-star general and to serve as the Chief of Staff of the Army. He is epitome of a true officer and gentleman and a leader of integrity and tremendous dignity. (We all know what I'm talking about here.)
Or how about Dalip Singh Saund? He was the first Asian American to be elected to Congress, where he served from 1957 to 1963.
I think most people now know about the internment of the Japanese American community during World War II -- and the lessons that history holds for contemporary society -- but do folks know about Angel Island, the "Ellis Island of the West" where Chinese (and other Asian) immigrants were detained and interrogated before being admitted to the US or denied entry (and sent back to China) or being held indefinitely? That era in American history is all about the Chinese Exclusion Act (and subsequent amendments) -- the only chapter of the 15 chapters in Title 8 (Aliens and Nationality) that is completely focused on a specific nationality or ethnic group.
And knowing that, it won't surprise anyone that another often and grossly overlooked historical factoid is that Chinese laborers built the trans-continental railroad. Without them, it simply would not have happened. But whenever you see those historical photos of the golden spike being hammered at Promontory Point, do ya' see any Chinese?
Hmmm, I don't. They just didn't get no respect.And that's one of many, many reasons why it's important that there is an Asian Pacific American Heritage month -- and that we celebrate it.
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