Celebrating Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—dedicated to honoring and celebrating the accomplishments of individuals of Asian and Pacific Islander descent while also recognizing the challenges they have faced and continue to face in our country.

A recent national study by Leading Asian Americans to Unite for Change (LAAUNCH), conducted this spring during the rise in anti-Asian violence, yielded troubling findings. Most respondents expressed stereotypical beliefs and even suspicions about individuals of Asian descent and most struggled to name prominent Asian Americans, who are disproportionately under-represented in leadership roles and in the media.

Yet, an analysis of the new 2020 U.S. Census data shows that the AAPI population is the fastest growing in the United States, having increased by over 80% over the past decade. The number of residents of Asian descent in Virginia has grown even more dramatically: 115%. A 2015 study by the Commonwealth Institute reported that 70% of all Virginia AAPI residents live in Northern Virginia, a figure that has likely grown over the past six years: these family members, friends, and neighbors enrich our region in every way.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma said, “When you learn something from people, or from a culture, you accept it as a gift, and it is your lifelong commitment to preserve it and build on it.” This month and every month, let’s make a commitment to recognize and honor the many gifts Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have brought to our country and our community. In the spirit of NOVA’s dedication to inclusive excellence, I encourage all of us to take the opportunity provided by AAPI Heritage Month to end what LAAUNCH calls Asian American “invisibility”: lift and celebrate the achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, learn more about the many cultures and histories that make up the diverse and vibrant AAPI community, connect with your colleagues of Asian descent and listen to their experiences. We will be a stronger college for it.