Jacobs Library: Library Displays: Asian American &amp; Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Disclaimer:

Several film and book titles on this guide contain historical facts. Exaggerations have occurred to move story lines along. Also, several titles contain attitudes known to be insensitive, and inappropriate. These works are a reflection of the context and culture of their creators that they are trying to highlight and do not reflect the views of Jacobs Library.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Origin:

The History of Asian American & Pacific Islanders Heritage Month began when Rep. Hortan introduced the "House Joint Resolution 1007" bill to congress in 1978 and later becoming "Public Law 95-419" once passed and signed by President Jimmy Carter. The celebration for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders began as a week during May and made to include the seventh and tenth of May. Finally, in 1992, Congress passed "Public Law 102-450" which annually designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

May was chosen for this celebration because it gives recognition to the first Japanese immigrants and Chinese immigrants that helped lay tracks for our transcontinental railroad.(1)

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Documentaries:

Golden Gate Girls
This story paints a fascinating picture of how Eng’s Career in filmmaking broke through gender and racial boundaries in Hollywood and Hong Kong, at a time when opportunities for Chinese women in the industry were few and far between.
Honor & Sacrifice
This film tells the Complex story of a Japanese immigrant family ripped about by WWII and is told by the daughter of the man’s military intelligence work was kept secret for 50 years.
A Bitter Legacy
This documentary examines issues before, during and after WWII, regarding the treatment of people of Japanese ancestry I America, most of them American Citizens.
Chinese Couplets
Part memoir, part history, part investigation, Chinese Couplets spans two centuries, three countries, and four generations of women in this intimate story that reveals the impact of America’s Chinese Exclusion Acts on journalist filmmaker Felicia Lowe’s family.
Children of the Camps
This program provides a rare glimpse into the very private lives of a few Japanese Americans who have not previously talked openly about the trauma of being placed into internment camps during WWII.
Home from the Eastern Sea
This is documentary tells the story of the immigrations of Chinese, Japanese, and Filipinos to America. The documentary explores the history of each nationality through the personal stories of representative families.
Proof of Loyalty
This documentary tells the story of a Japanese American who played a crucial strategic role in World War II.
Native Planet Program 4: Hawaii-Stolen Nation
In this film documentary, host Simon Baker travels to Hawaii to examine the growing native sovereignty movement and how it helped halt construction of the largest public infrastructure project in Hawaii's history.
Between the Lines
This documentary offers rare interviews with over 15 major Asian-Pacific American women poets. Organized in interwoven sections such as Immigration, Language, Family, Memory, and Spirituality, it is a sophisticated merging of Asian-American history and identity with the questions of performance, voice, and image.
Akha Way
This documentary describes the origins and culture of the Akha people who have for over thousands of years have inhabited the hills of Asia – mainly southern China, Burma and Northern Thailand.
Issei: The First Generation
“Lost” 1984 documentary, rediscovered and restored, about Japanese men and women who, at the turn of the century, immigrated to the West Coast of the United States.