The month of May is Asian-Pacific Heritage month where recognition is given to the widespread contributions to the United States by Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the areas of music, medicine, science and mathematics, technology, literature and the arts. From acupuncture to zen, the cultures, philosophies and technical knowledge of this region have enriched and expanded our lives. May was chosen for this celebration because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States in May 1843 and to honor the anniversary of the transcontinental railroad completion in May 1869 through the hard work of Chinese immigrants. Related research guide Asian history and studies Created by a PCC Librarian, this guide covers Asian art, literature, religion, and a multitude of featured titles for suggested reading on Asian History and Studies. Streaming videos Against the grain Looks at the complexities of coming out among women in the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community Ancestors in the Americas, Part 1: coolies, sailors and settlers: voyage to the new world Explores how and why people from the Philippines, China, and India first arrived on the shores of North and South America, and portrays their survival amid harsh conditions, their re-migrations, and finally their permanent settlement in the New World. Asian Americans A five-hour PBS film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. This series traces the story of Asian Americans, spanning 150 years of immigration, racial politics, and cultural innovation. PCC Library also has this series by episode: Breaking Ground Breaking Through Generation Rising Good Americans A Question of Loyalty Nation within In this compelling, stirring and new vision of the American overthrow, Coffman weaves into existing Western history uncovered historical facts as well as the point of view of Hawaiians and their storytellers. No turning back This program presents intimate portraits of the new Chinese Americans who face a struggle common to so many immigrants: to reconcile some losses of their old culture in order to embrace their adopted American one. Pacific Islanders: dances of life Dances of Life examines dances from five island cultures: Maori, Samoan, Palauan, Chamorro (Guam), and Kanak (New Caledonia). How their dances have evolved and incorporated new influences is seen as a testament to the endurance of their cultures. The slanted screen: Asian men in film and television This award-winning documentary explores portrayals of Asian men in American cinema, chronicling the experience of actors who have struggled against Hollywood’s ethnic stereotyping and discriminatory practices. Wayfinders: a pacific odyssey Wayfinders focuses on the revival of wayfinding – the art of guiding a canoe across long distances using only natural signs: the sun, the moon, the stars and the ocean swells. Ebooks And the view from the shore: literary traditions of Hawaii This book chronicles and reinterprets the variety of patterns found within Hawaii’s pastoral and heroic literary traditions. Asian American history and culture: volume one-two: an encyclopedia An exhaustive encyclopedia documenting the history of Asians in America from the earliest contact to the present day. A companion to Asian American studies This book provides a snapshot of early debates within the field ranging from class and sexuality to literature, transnationality, and identity. Contemporary Asian American communities intersections and divergences Asian America has undergone profound changes as a result of post-1965 immigration. Crossing sidelines, crossing cultures: sport and Asian Pacific American cultural citizenship This updated edition explores the vibrant community of Asian Pacific Americans through sports. Emerging voices: experiences of underrepresented Asian Americans Explores the experiences of underrepresented groups in the Asian American community, including Burmese, Indonesian, Mong, Hmong, Nepalese, Romani, Tibetan, and Thai Americans. Margins and mainstreams: Asians in American history and culture This book argues that the core values and ideals of the nation emanate today not from the so-called mainstream but from the margins, from among Asian and African Americans, Latinos and American Indians, women, and the gay and lesbian community. Restsoried selves: autobiographies of queer Asian/Pacific American activists These autobiographies challenge familial and cultural expectations and values that have traditionally forced queer Asian/Pacific Americans into silent shame because of their sexual orientation and/or ethnicity. Undercover Asian: multiracial Asian Americans in visual culture This book looks at how popular media – movies, television shows, magazine articles, and artwork – is implicated in the ways the viewing public often fails to identify multiracial Asian Americans. Print books A part, yet apart: South Asians in Asian America Examines the extent to which South Asian Americans are and ought to be included within Asian America – as that term is applied to academic programs and admission policies; grassroots community organizing and politics more broadly; and critical analyses of cultural products. Everything you need to know about Asian American history In a lively question-and-answer format, this informative guide chronicles the important dates and figures in Asian American history. It also provides a complete understanding of the traditions and ideas that people of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, and Pacific Island descent have brought to bear on American life. Not quite not white: losing and finding race in America Explores the questions what does it mean to be white, why does whiteness retain the magic cloak of invisibility while other colors are made hypervisible, and how much does whiteness figure into Americanness? Our voices, our histories: Asian American and Pacific Islander Women This book explores the historical experiences, perspectives, and actions of Asian American and Pacific Islander women in the United States and beyond through the voices of 35 different authors. Strangers from a different shore: a history of Asian Americans In an extraordinary blend of narrative history, personal recollection, and oral testimony, the author presents a sweeping history of Asian Americans, introducing the people, the cultures, and their hope, fears, contribution, and dreams. Related websites Asian Community in Oregon Being Asian in America: In the fall of 2021, Pew Research Center undertook the largest focus group study it had ever conducted to hear Asian Americans talk about their lived experiences in America. Asian nation This site includes an overview of the historical, demographic, political, and cultural issues that make up today’s diverse Asian American community. Asian Pacific American heritage month Hosted by the Library of Congress, this site provides a calendar of events at various national museums, including the Smithsonian Institution’s online exhibit Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II Exhibition. Asian reporter A source for international, national, and Pacific NW Asian news. Cambodian-American community of Oregon A Facebook site set up to unite, preserve and empower the Cambodian community in Oregon and SW Washington. Japan-American society of Oregon A non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen US-Japan relationships. Portland classical Chinese garden A treasure in the heart of downtown Portland, this garden is an authentic representation of Chinese trees, flora, and pavilions. Portland Japanese gardens Located in Southwest Portland, these gardens offer a peaceful respite from a busy world. Japanese culture is on display in the landscape, the gift store, and in public tours and exhibits. Vietnamese community of Oregon This Facebook site has daily news, reports, scholarships, awards, and a variety of events related to the Vietnamese Community. Organizations in the Fight Against Asian Hate Asian Americans advancing justice This group is an affiliation of five organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans Asian Pacific American labor alliance An organization of AAPI workers, many of whom are union members, advancing labor, immigrant, and civil rights. EPIC: empowering Pacific Islander communities EPIC advances social justice by engaging Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islanders in culture-centered advocacy, leadership development, and research. The national Asian Pacific American women’s forum This forum works to build a movement for social, political, and structural change for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls. Their experiences have gone unacknowledged and unaddressed by mainstream U.S. culture throughout the history of this country. Stop AAPI hate A national coalition documenting and sharing resources about anti-Asian discrimination.