Alka's Angle

May is observed as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month because in the 1970’s, Jeannie Jew, a former Capitol Hill staffer, approached the office of Representative Frank Horton with the idea that the contribution of Asians in the history of the United States of America should be officially recognized and celebrated. That effort first lead to the designation of the week of May 4 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week and eventually designating the entire month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was so chosen because:

It is Friday! Good Friday, as we know it, in the Christian calendar. We call it good because it commemorates the day Jesus was crucified, and view it as a crucial act ‘necessary’ for the salvation of humanity. Whether this is your theological grounding or not, this day does not mark the end- because we have EASTER! We are Easter people! We know the rest of the story! We remember the pain and the agony that Jesus suffered through, but we know Sunday is coming!

It is cold! And for that reason I am having a hard time wrapping my head around the reality that this Sunday is Palm Sunday, already! Already!

 You may know by now that April 5 is being treated as a critical all-in moment for those who support workers and are concerned of the actions that threaten voting rights and civil liberties, gut human services, raise prices, slash Medicaid, Social Security.

March 31st is observed, internationally, as “Transgender Day of Visibility” celebrating trans  pride, and, recognizing the experiences and achievements of transgender and non-binary people in our world.