May is Asian Pacific Heritage Month which means that during the WHOLE month, you are likely seeing a ton of articles, interviews, and events in recognition of the history and contributions that Asian and Pacific Islanders have made in the U.S.

Like any month dedicated to a marginalized community, a month of recognition is great, but doesn’t quite capture the entirety of what a community has accomplished AND all of the issues that continue to affect that community. For Asians and Pacific Islanders, we still continue to struggle with the repercussions of the model minority myth, our issues deemed invisible due to lack of disaggregated data, and our narratives limited to what the media chooses to show in the news, television, and film. Of course, those are just a few examples!

With Nonprofit, we are hoping to contribute to an emerging body of work out there in television and films that are already shifting perceptions of Asians and Pacific Islanders with more nuanced and complex stories. NO MORE ASIAN SIDEKICKS, GOT IT?! We hope to pave a path for even MORE stories in hopes that we can come to normalize and identify with the experiences of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

So in honor of APAHM, check out these articles that highlight what it means to be Asian and Pacific Islander NOW:

• ‘First you make them laugh:’ Asian American performers fight for visibility
• Aziz Ansari on the Return of ‘Master of None’ and that ‘S.N.L.’ Monologue
• K-Town’92 Explores the Untold Stories of the L.A. Riots
• How much are students learning about the Chinese Exclusion Act? It’s largely up to teachers
• Texas lawmaker takes a stand against immigration bill
• ‘Model Minority’ Myth Again Used as a Racial Wedge Between Asians and Blacks
• Dismantling Stereotypes About Asian-American Identity Through Art 

Happy reading!

Sincerely,
Luann Algoso

P.S. Another way you can support Asian and Pacific Islander communities is contributing to our Seed&Spark campaign! Grab a fun sticker, tote bag, or land a cameo appearance on the show! You can back the project here.