HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-04-2021; 4-d - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 4, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-d
SUBJECT: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations Department
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Annette Moore, 919-245-2317
Asian American and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month Proclamation
PURPOSE: To proclaim May 2021 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in
Orange County, North Carolina.
BACKGROUND: May 2021 will mark the 29t" anniversary of the enactment of Public Law 102-
450 by Congress in 1992 proclaiming the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month.
The month of May was chosen to commemorate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in part
because the first immigration of Japanese to the United States. was in May of 1843. It also marks
the completion of the Trans-Continental Railroad in May 1869 where most of the workers were of
Asian descent.
The importance of this month is unfortunately highlighted by the many attacks on people of Asian
descent, including elders. According to a report from the organization Stop Asian American Pacific
Islander Hate, there were nearly 3,000 reported incidents of racism and discrimination targeting
Asian Americans nationwide. Between March and December of 2020, twenty four (24) of those
accounts occurred in North Carolina.
There is a long history of discrimination that people of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage have
faced even at the hands of the U.S. Federal Government. In 1882 Congress passed the Chinese
Exclusion Act, which was the first and only law that specifically prohibited the immigration of a
group of people based on race and geographical origin. It also prevented the Chinese from
becoming U.S. Citizens. Later the United States would carry out the forced internment of 120,000
Japanese under Executive Order 9066 issued on February 19, 1942.
However, the story of Asian American Pacific Islanders in the United States is not just one of
discrimination but also one of contributions to American History and Culture. We find this in the
brave acts of the 110t"/442 Infantry Regiment, composed mostly of second generation Japanese
Americans (Nesei) who fought in the European Theater during World War II while their families
were held in internment camps. The 110t"/442 would go on to become the most decorated military
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unit in U.S. History. There are numerous contributions to the arts such as Charles Yu who won
the most recent 2020 National Book Award for Interior Chinatown, cellist Yo Yo Ma, actress
Sondra Oh, and comedian Awkwafina to name but a few. UNC is home to many accomplished
scholars of Asian descent such as Professor Kihyun "Kelly" Ryoo in the School of Education and
Hedi Kim, Director of the UNC Asian American Center, and Associate Professor in the Department
of English and Comparative Literature.
It is important for the Orange County Board of Commissioners to recognize Asian American and
Pacific Islander Heritage Month to emphasize the contributions of this community to Orange
County's diversity.
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Human Relations
Commission will host the following event:
A Community Conversation
Ally, Advocate, Activist, Accomplice: What's the Difference?
Sunday, May 23, 2021 3:00 pm — 4:30 pm
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the consideration of the
proclamation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic
background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential, or economic status.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
WHEREAS, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial group in the
United States, growing four times the rate of the rest of the populations of the Country; and
WHEREAS, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, as one of the most culturally
and linguistically diverse groups in America, reminds us that although we all have distinct
backgrounds and origins, we are bound by a common purpose, by shared values and our shared
hopes and dreams for ourselves and our children; and
WHEREAS, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has a long and deeply-rooted
legacy in the United States from the grueling and perilous working condition of thousands of
Chinese laborers on the transcontinental railroad to Japanese Americans troops fighting to defend
our freedom during World War II; and
WHEREAS, we also must remember that this Country carries the stain that while Japanese
Americans soldiers fought in World War II, their families at home were interned in camps by the
government simply based on their Japanese origin; and
WHEREAS, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community throughout this country's
history has faced harassment, senseless violence and discrimination, all of this has grown
exponentially over the past year due to negative stereotypes perpetrated about the pandemic,which
has led to a sharp rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and hate incidents; and
WHEREAS, we honor the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, their rich heritage
and the enhancements they bring to this community through their culture and as artist, activist,
educators, elected officials, service men and women, business owners, friends and neighbors;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina, do proclaim May 2021 as ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER
HERITAGE MONTH and commend this observance to all Orange County residents.
This the 4th day of May, 2021.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners