A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).
The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Chinese immigrants were the most workers who laid the tracks.
MERCER COUNTY is home to many who self-identify as Asian or Pacific Islander. Yet, theirs and their ancestors’ rich heritage, stories and contributions are often overlooked. During Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, I encourage everyone to fully engage with Mercer County’s diverse communities to learn 
about each other, to promote acceptance and inclusion, and to work together to advance education, tolerance, and love for one another. Below you’ll find a calendar of events to start you on your journey.
~ Brian M. Hughes, Mercer County Executive
Tuesday, May 2, 7 to 8 p.m.; Virtual via Zoom, Princeton Public Library.Panelists give an update about implementation of New Jersey’s AAPI curriculum mandate, AAPI curriculum professional development opportunities, and tips on educational advocacy. Register
Ukulele and Polynesian Dancers
Thursday, May 11, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Mercer County Library Lawrence Headquarters Branch. 2751 Brunswick Pike. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. 609-883-8292. Celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. Listen to Ukulads and Ukuladies Band of New Jersey play traditional songs and enjoy the performance of the Tehani Mid-East and Polynesian Dance troupe. Registration appreciated.
“A Hyphenated Spirit,” Ethnic Prejudice and Japanese American Incarceration during WWII
. A 1983 Congressional Blue-Ribbon Commission declared that the incarceration of Japanese American citizens during the Pacific War (Executive Order 9066, issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1942) had been a “grave injustice” caused by “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.” Indeed, this dark chapter of American history resulted in the relocation of 117,000 people including 70,000 US Citizens, based solely on their ethnic heritage. This talk will investigate the history behind why the US population in 1942 was willing to accept that individuals of Japanese descent had a “hyphenated spirit” and, therefore, should be denied their civil rights. Ultimately, we will interrogate the specter of the landmark, ethnically-based Executive Order 9066 to understand how it still haunts contemporary US politics. Presented by Dr. Anne Giblin Gedacht, Assistant Professor of History at Seton Hall University. Please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to register to receive link to program. Registration is required.
Tuesday, May 23, 7 to 8 p.m. Princeton Public Library – Community Room. In this session, participants will explore the influences and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in U.S. History from the 19th through mid-20th centuries.
Tuesday, May 30, 6 to 8:30 p.m.; Princeton Public Library – Community Room. A screening of the award-winning 1987 documentary is followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Christine Choy.