Truxal Library Exhibit: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2025

Celeste Ng, author of “Little Fires Everywhere,” and Maxine Hong Kingston, author of "The Woman Warrior," join Jeffrey Brown to answer reader questions about our August pick for the NewsHour-New York Times book club, Now Read This. Ng selected “The Woman Warrior,” which was published by Kingston in 1976. Plus, Jeff announces the September book choice.

Derald Wing Sue is the most cited authority on multicultural counseling and therapy. In this session, you'll learn about his near poverty origins in Oregon and how school experiences with discrimination led him to multicultural awareness and pride. You'll discover that oppression did not end with a Ph.D., but that he encounters many continuations of his discrimination as a child even today.

CAN is a seminal film about Asian Americans suffering from mental illness. In a culture where mental problems are often viewed as a stigma that brings shame to the family, this documentary breaks an important silence. Can Truong is among millions of refugee “boat people” fleeing Vietnam in the 1970s. In the United States he becomes a model student, aspiring to be a doctor. After graduating at the top of his high school class and being accepted as a pre-med student at the University of Chicago, he begins experiencing difficulties and is diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder. After numerous attempts to continue his studies, he is forced to leave the university due to difficulties concentrating and studying. After leaving school, Can experiments unsuccessfully with shock treatments and medications and becomes involved in the “mental health consumer movement” which focuses on recovery through self-determination and peer support.

"Asian American" coined by activists Yuji Ichioka and Emma Gee in 1968 was a movement to build solidarity between the many AAPI ethnic groups struggling against racism and for their civil rights. Breaking the Model: Stories of Asian American History and Presence brings together four different short documentaries exploring immigration, genealogy, gentrification and resilience within America.

This lecture, presented by Zornitsa Kalibatseva at the Michigan State University Symposium on Multicultural Psychology, is about how cultural and linguistic differences and unconscious bias can affect assessment and diagnosis of Asian-Americans.

Following the aftermath of the March 2021 mass shootings at three spas in Atlanta, this film chronicles how the Asian American community came together to fight back against hate. Offering a conversation about race, class and gender, the film takes a deep dive into this critical moment of racial reckoning, exploring the struggles, triumphs and achievements of AAPI communities.

One particular psychological experience that people of Color and other marginalized groups often feel is called "The Imposter Phenomenon" - a psychological experience that occurs amoung high achievers who are unable to internalize and accept their success. They often attribute their accomplishments to luck, rather than ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud. Marica Liu describes the Imposter Phenomenon, how it presents itself in therapy, and how to effectively work with it. Dr. Liu works with Precious - a Filipina graduate student who comes into therapy with general feelings of stress, sleeplessness, and worry.

The Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Heritage Month features a variety of events, including arts and culture festivals, book fairs, and exhibitions, celebrating the contributions and cultural heritage of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. These events emphasize education, community engagement, and reflection on the diverse and resilient communities within the AANHPI groups. For more details, visit the Smithsonian's official page.

"Seeing Lost Enclaves" is a project by Jeffrey Yoo Warren, part of the 2023-24 Innovator in Residence Program at the Library of Congress. It explores historical maps and photographs to uncover and visualize lost or forgotten neighborhoods and communities. The project uses markdown-pages for layout and web publication, and is available for download on GitHub.

The Pew Research Center's report on Asian American identities highlights the diverse cultures and shared experiences that shape these identities. About six-in-ten Asian Americans feel a sense of connection to other Asians in the U.S., emphasizing community ties. The study, based on a survey of 7,006 Asian adults, explores their experiences, attitudes, and views, and includes responses from the six largest Asian ethnic groups.

The National Park Service celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month every May, highlighting the rich heritage and contributions of these communities. The month features stories, cultural heritage, and historical events shared through National Park Service programs and partners.

The National Archives celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by showcasing a wealth of materials documenting the experiences of these communities. The celebration includes online resources, programs, and social media highlights, featuring historical documents and stories. Notable figures such as Bruce Lee, Anna May Wong, and Yo-Yo Ma are highlighted for their contributions.