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I had a wonderful time May 24th, sharing about the “Life and Faith” is Asian Americans at the Action Project event. So grateful to Rev. Jia Starr Brown for organizing this year long event for churches in the Minneapolis area.

May is #aapiheritagemonth! I was so happy to speak at the Action Project

May is AAPI Heritage Month.

The month of May we want to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

How AAPI Heritage Month started:

Former congressional staffer Jeanie Jew first approached Rep. Frank Horton about the idea of designating a month to recognize Asian Pacific Americans, following the United States’ bicentennial celebration in 1976. 

In June 1977, Frank Horton and Rep. Norman Y. Mineta, introduced a resolution to the U.S. House of Representatives to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week. 

In 1990, George H.W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend Asian American Heritage Week to a month. On May 14, 1991, a public law was passed unanimously by congress and then signed by Bush, proclaiming May 1991 and May 1992 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Months. ´By 1992, May was officially designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 

History of Asians in the US:

The first Asians in the Americas arrived in 1587 with Filipinos landed in California. ´Almost 200 years later, the first Chinese immigrants arrived in Hawaii ´the first official Japanese U.S. immigrant arriving in California at the height of the gold rush in 1843. ´Immigrants continued to come from the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands through 1920 when the first Samoans were documented in Hawaii.

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I am excited to speak at the ACTION Project. I will be speaking 3 times on Asian American/Pacific Islander theology and also be on one panel.

Part 1-History: How Did We Get Here?

Part 2-Panelist-Shared Community

Part 3- Life and Faith – Through the Lenses of the Marginalized

Part 4- Solidarity – As Defined by Those on the Margins

Called the “ACTION Project,” this yearlong initiative involves congregations and individuals who are willing to make “A Commitment To Inclusion in Our Neighborhoods” (ACTION) Designed and guided by Rev. Jia Starr Brown (Associate Pastor at First Covenant Church), this extended journey involves commitment, listening, reflection, and action – all in one year. The fire hose of injustice, white supremacy, and institutional oppression continues to be penetrating and fierce. The need for courageous listening and learning has never been greater. While droves are now awakening to the unshakable reality for people living on society’s fringes, many are paralyzed and baffled about how to transition their new learning into action. It is the call of community leaders to provide opportunities for this critical social leap in order to bridge the gap of injustice. Education, if effective, should lead to action.

Beginning in October 2020, participating congregations will join First Covenant Church Minneapolis in taking the IDI (Intercultural Diversity Inventory) in their own context, administered by Rev. Starr Brown. After receiving the assessment outcomes which provide the average cultural intelligence of each faith community, invitations will be provided every month for exploration, learning, discussion, and growth. Understanding that the IDI estimates 40-50 intentional contact hours are needed to shift on the spectrum, these events will provide opportunities and encouragement for this critical shift.

https://www.fccminneapolis.org/idi-anti-racism-signup/embed/#?secret=kMw2i4hvx4

  • An initial information session on Monday 11/2, 7:00PM-8:00PM
  • 11/4-11/11 administration of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) by Rev. Jia (assessment doesn’t take long to complete)
  • A 2 hour training debriefing the results of the inventory and getting feedback on 11/17 at 7:00PM
  • Online gathering every 4th Monday from 7:00PM-9:00PM with the other congregations engaging in The ACTION Project led by local activists and teachers beginning in November on 11/23.
  • Weekly emails filled with articles, resources, and ways to engage publicly.
  • 2021 reassessment of the IDI to see how you have grown over the year.
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