Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with Us
Posted April 19, 2022 in JMU Libraries News
Join us in celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month!
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated nationally in May and at JMU in April as a time to celebrate the contributions of Asian American & Pacific Islander communities around the world. Keep reading for ways to celebrate and learn more about Asian/Pacific American history and identity.
Movies to Watch
Kanopy is an award-winning video streaming service that provides the JMU community with free access to more than 30,000 independent and documentary films. Check out three great film collections in Kanopy for Asian/Pacific American Month:
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month — Important Documentaries
- Asian Americans on Screen
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month — Influential Films
Top-rated movies include:
What’s Happening at JMU?
JMU CMSS (Center for Multicultural Student Services) featured two D.E.E.P. Impact Dialogue events in April. The JMU ethnic caucus, APIDA (Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American), also supports and advocates for the well-being of diverse APIDA communities at JMU and its surrounding communities. Explore the resources available at the APIDA website.
Asian/Pacific American History and Heritage in JMU Libraries Collections and Exhibits
- Oral Histories: Ang Buhay Sa Nayon – Life in the Valley
This collection includes interviews, transcripts of the interviews, and photographs of seventeen individuals, most of whom are members of the Filipino American Community of the Shenandoah Valley, who arrived in the United States between 1963-2010. - Book Display: Learn About Afghanistan
We shared this book display in September 2021 to help highlight the history, heritage, culture, beauty, and complexities of Afghanistan, Afghan people, and members of the Afghan diaspora in the wake of the conflict following the withdrawal of U.S. troops in the region. - Book Display: Contextualizing Anti-Asian Racism in the United States
We prepared this virtual book display in response to the tragic murders in Atlanta in March 2021 and the subsequent increase in hateful acts against Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Asian people in the United States. This online book display includes ebooks, print materials, and more from JMU Libraries. - Art Exhibit: The little Gallery Underground: The Art of Shin’ichi Suzuki (on display in the Music Library April-May, 2023)
While not from the United States, Dr. Suzuki undoubtedly made a significant contribution to American music as the founder of the Suzuki method of teaching music performance. Dr. Suzuki was a celebrated musician, educator, and humanitarian from Japan. This art exhibit features watercolor on silk with calligraphy by Dr. Suzuki, his portrait, and more from the personal collection of one of his students. - Music Exhibit: Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (on display in the Music Library April-May, 2023)
Browse the display for some relevant music to check out. Selections by Tsai Hsaio-hu, Gordon Shi-Wen Chin, Bimbo, Marie Mariteragi, and more.
Join the National Celebration
Visit asianpacificheritage.gov to learn about even more ways to celebrate, learn, and connect during Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.