Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month began in 1977 as a smaller ten-day celebration in May, and transformed to a month-long observance in 1990. The month commemorates the resilience and legacy, traditions, and culture of Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders across the United States, (Harvard University, n.d).

Our Asian Pacific American brothers and sisters have endured ridicule, racism, and have been mistreated, yet every day, people from all over the world indulge and enjoy their respective cultures. And within the broader tent of Asian Pacific Americans, there are subgroups which exist, who are cross-cultural, and possess their own specific subcultures. Their histories are rich, full, and provide a great connection between the earth and its people, peace, and harmony.

Council 100 is proud to support, uplift, and educate our members in the diversity of the Asian Pacific American communities. We are especially proud to have Asian Pacific American representation on our Council Executive Board. Our very own, Concetta Fialkowski, is Native Hawaiian who serves as Council 100’s Women’s Coordinator; Local President of AFGE Local 1234 in Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, and the Pacific Islands; and she is also the Vice Chair of AFGE’s Asian Pacific Organized Workers Empowering Representation (APOWER) committee.

Although the Asian Pacific American cultures are beautiful, exotic, and intriguing, we, as a society of Labor Unionists, must look beyond cultures and peoples as places to simply visit or as people we know; instead, we should be immersing ourselves in their kind hearts, warm spirits, and intellectual conversations. Many of our strongest Union advocates, representatives, and passionate leaders derive from the Asian Pacific community. Let us celebrate this month together: With joy, peace, and prosperity!

In Unity,

AFGE Council 100