Asian Heritage Month

Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated since the 1990s, but the Canadian government officially recognized May as Asian Heritage Month in 2002.

In 2001, May was also declared South Asian Heritage Month in Ontario, further evidence that the Asian diaspora is important to our society.

For South Asians, the month of May has been a time of celebration and commemoration of their arrival from the Indian subcontinent to the Americas in 1838.

This year, as we observe Asian Heritage Month, we find ourselves in the middle of a pandemic where there is an alarming increase of xenophobia, racism, and anti-Asian violence.

A recent study revealed that more than 1,100 attacks against Asian Canadians have been reported one year into the pandemic, and 11 percent of those incidents involved violent assaults or unwanted physical contact.

This is not acceptable. We must do better.

The anti-Asian discrimination resurfacing today has deep historical and colonial roots in this country. We must now put an end to our troubled history of racism.

Here are some ways we can all contribute to tackling anti-Asian racism and building a  better and consciously more inclusive society where everyone is able to participate fully:

• Learn about pan-Asian diversity and the unique identities and cultures that have enriched our society;
• Challenge stereotypes and consider how they are rooted in the history of anti-Asian racism;
• Show solidarity with Asian communities by supporting local Asian businesses and organizations;
• Be an ally - call out acts of racism, discrimination, and micro aggression and actively support those victimized by anti-Asian racism; and
• Interrupt unconscious biases and consider how they can affect your behavior and decision-making.

It is a call to action for everyone to come together to combat all forms of anti-Asian racism and discrimination.

Let us celebrate the incredible diversity that is our strength. Let us celebrate Asian Heritage Month in all our communities.

In solidarity,