The Oregon Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs is thrilled to have joined Governor Tina Kotek at the Lan Su Chinese Garden on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to kick off Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in partnership with Oregon Rises Above Hate (ORAH).
Governor Kotek spoke of the need for our collective efforts to move forward and grow as a community, then signing the proclamation commemorating May as AANHPI Heritage Month.
Thanks to celebrations and education by organizations like ORAH, Oregon’s communities are able to share their respective rich history, delicious foods, beautiful cultures, intricate patterns of dance, storytelling, and so much more.
“Every year in the month of May, OCAPIA is proud to celebrate AANHPI Heritage month. While the work to support our community is far from over, we need to continue to encourage our community to speak up.” Co-Chair Sang Tzun Phan said. “Thank you, Governor Kotek, and to the State of Oregon for their support in officially recognizing and protecting the cultural and societal benefits that the AANHPI community has brought. These proclamations help foster a sense of identity and pride within our collective community and can also help to preserve our history and traditions for future generations.”
Throughout American history, the various distinct, rich cultures making up the AANHPI acronym have been lumped together into one. Tropes like the “model minority” have been used as racial wedges and flattened the collective diverse experiences to a single and narrowly focused narrative that is rarely an accurate representation of any one community.
Learn more about ORAH and view the photos from the event at OregonRisesAboveHate.com.
