Submission by Katherine Yang, PA DEI Co-Chair and Book Fair Co-Chair and mother of Lauren Chan in the Green Cluster
May 1st marks the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Given the rise in violence against Asians and Asian Americans across the country, and the state of emergency in India due to COVID, now is the perfect time to highlight the Asian Pacific American Culture. I believe that sharing our different cultures, heritage, and stories with each other will help build respect and empathy among one other and the next generation. These small steps will make a difference.
This month in every issue of Gaynor Notes, the DEI Committee will be sharing short videos created by Gaynor parents showcasing favorite aspects of their family’s Asian Pacific heritage. We encourage you to take a few moments and watch them with your child. If you wish to be part of this inclusion effort, I welcome you to contact me (katherineyang@yahoo.com) or my DEI co-chair, Nina Norwood (ninanorwood@gmail.com), and we will be happy to share your story with the community. These videos will also be made available to the Gaynor faculty.
Lastly, back in February, I shared on Gaynor Notes how my daughter Lauren celebrates Lunar New Year with her family. I welcome you to revisit recipes and stories about the holiday. This time, I would like to highlight Yo-Yo Ma, my Asian American role model who has focused his amazing musical talents this past year to offer consolation and connection in the face of fear and isolation. Yo-Yo Ma is a world-renowned Chinese American cellist who immigrated here as a child, played for John F. Kennedy when he was seven years old, and was recently recorded playing an impromptu 10 minute concert at a vaccination site after he just received his COVID vaccination. I hope you will take a moment to view these two short videos with your children.
Below are some helpful resources to give you more information on ways to learn about and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Yo-Yo Ma teams up with cartoonist Sandra Boynton
Yo-Yo Ma playing Over the Rainbow
Links to information on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:
A Proclamation on Asian American and Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2021
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: How It Started and How to Celebrate
PBS Special: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021