Celebrat Asian Americans
The United States is home for millions of people who have come here from other countries. Our family members, friends, neighbors, doctors, mail carriers and teachers might have immigrated to the U.S., or their parents or grandparents might have. In May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, when we honor those who can trace their backgrounds to more than 40 countries in Asia and the Pacific Islands — more than 24 million Americans. This spring, several violent incidents have targeted Asian Americans. President Joe Biden called these tragic events “very troubling” and “unAmerican.” But people from Asia and the Pacific Islands have been fighting against discrimination since the 1700s.
Keeping people out
Early immigration laws prevented Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and other people from becoming citizens of the U.S. In the mid-1800s, large numbers of Chinese people came to California during the Gold Rush. They provided labor for farming and laying railroad tracks. They were paid much less than white workers. As laws became more strict about allowing new immigrants from China, more people from Japan arrived. By the 1920s, U.S. laws restricted most people from Asia, including India and the Philippines, and these rules stayed in place until 1965.
Sent away
During World War II, the United States was at war with Japan. After the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, some people were afraid that Japanese Americans might help the enemy. In 1942, the federal government forced all Japanese Americans on the West Coast, including American citizens, to leave their homes and lives and go to internment camps in several western states. (To intern means to confine people, especially during a war.) In 1988, Congress apologized for the government’s actions and passed a law giving those who had been forced to live in these camps $20,000.
Going forward
Today, people are becoming more aware and accepting of people from other countries. Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and people from all over the world have made important contributions to the communities we live in and our culture — from traditions, to food, to medicine and health, to sports, government and education. Everyone is valuable!