Welcome! Moorpark College Celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 1 - May 31)
Moorpark College celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Check out the Calendar of Events for campus events.
Letter from Moorpark College President Dr. Julius Sokenu
May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States in May 7,1843. May is also significant because it marks Golden Spike Day, May 10, 1869, the completion of the transcontinental railroad that was built with the significant contributions of over 20,000 Chinese and other Asian and Pacific Islander workers.
AAPI people represent a wealth and diversity of cultural experiences within the United States. They have enriched the American society and are essential to its future. Despite the long and often ugly history of anti-Asian racism and violence, AAPI have been resilient and continue to thrive as the fastest growing ethnic or racial group between 2009 and 2019.
Moorpark College recognizes the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. We celebrate and confront shameful chapters in our history; we engage in difficult conversations because diversity not only enriches, but it is essential to the American story. We strive to make a learning space for AAPI folk where their culture and traditions are respected. We open our hearts and minds to better understand the history and corresponding struggles of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. AAPI month makes concrete our college value of fostering cross cultural connections in a dynamic world. Our curriculum reflects and extends the voices and experiences of AAPI. Our campus community is stronger when everyone is welcome here. To that end, we commit to diversifying our faculty, staff, and administrators. In addition, this month we celebrate our AAPI staff, faculty and administrators and the impact they have made on the MC family.
The Multicultural Committee invites the campus and local community to enjoy this months events. Please join me and your colleagues in learning more about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Moorpark College library has abundant resources for all interests.
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Month!
Julius
About Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
"Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month originated in June 1977, when Reps. Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of May as "Asian-Pacific Heritage Week." That July, Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed, and in October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration. Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration a month-long celebration. In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law. " Library of Congress