Celebrating Asian American Dreamers and Changemakers
May is recognized as National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, also known Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This year’s theme is “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future.” The books featured here celebrate the rich cultural histories and contributions made by Asian Americans in shaping our country and new generations of young people raised in the U.S.
Joyful Reading!
We Who Produce Pearls: An Anthem for Asian America
Written by Joanna Ho, Illustrated by Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya
Written in verse, this book celebrates the rich traditions, histories, and contributions that Asian Americans have made to this country. Joanne Ho reflects on the diversity of Asians in the U.S., alluding to the many reasons for immigration to America and the oppression that Asian Americans have endured in forging life in a new home. The text makes indirect reference to historical events and figures, acknowledging the resilience that allows Asian Americans to create beauty out of pain and sorrow. Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s vibrant illustrations, beautifully support the text, featuring diverse images of people with iconic cultural images in the background. Ho has included highly detailed backmatter that provides historical context for content in the book accompanied by questions to guide further exploration and discussion.
Joanna Ho and Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya reflect on their collaboration in creating this book.
We Are Here: 10 Inspiring Asian Americas and Pacific Islanders Who Have Shaped the United States
Written by Naomi Hirahara, Illustrated by Illi Ferandez
Licensed in partnership with the Smithsonian Asia Pacific Center, this beautifully illustrated book features biographies of 30 prominent Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have shaped the social, political, and cultural landscape to the United States. Each biography provides a vivid portrait of the individual(s), and a concise, yet comprehensive overview of their lives and contributions, delicately interweaving the challenges each subject has faced including racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and cultural appropriation. What emerges are portraits of dedication, commitment, strength and resilience. Illi Ferandez’s illustrations exude strength and pride while capturing the graceful humanity of each subject. Lisa S. Sasaki, Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, provides a thoughtful introduction that touches on the increase of hate crimes against Asian Americans since Covid-19 pandemic and the rich diversity of Asians and Pacific Islanders.
The book includes profiles of Etel Adnan, Eddie Aikau, Schuyler Miwon Hong Bailar, Grace Lee Boggs, Lydia XZ Brown, Momi Cazimero, Manny Crisostomo, Philip Vera Cruz, Taimane Gardner, Calvin and Charlene Hoe, Dinah Jane, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, Channapha Khamvongsa, John Kneubuhl, Bruno Mars, Carissa Moore, Shirin Neshat, Amanda Nguyen, Naomi Osaka, Craig Santos Perez, Mau Piailug, Keanu Reeves, Lakshmi Singh, Vishavjit Singh, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Teresa Teaiwa, Hinaleimoana Kwai Kong Wong-Kalu, Chien-Shiung Wu, and Jerry Yang.
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The Smithsonian Institution has created a website that features Learning Lab collections about each of the individuals featured in We Are Here, that include works of art, videos, websites, and archival material that expand on the biographies in the book.
To learn more about the development of this book, the Asian American/Asian Research Institute at City University of New York sponsored a talk with Yao-Fen You and Andrea Kim Neighbors from the Smithsonian APA Center.
Beyond the Books
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have created a comprehensive website paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.