MS54 / Booker T. Washington Middle School
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SUPPORTING THE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY

May was chosen for AAPI Heritage Month because it marks the immigration of the first Japanese people to the U.S. on May 7, 1843. It also commemorates the May 10, 1869 anniversary of the completion of the first U.S. transcontinental railroad that was built with significant contributions by Chinese and Japanese workers.

As one of the most diverse cities in the world, New York City is home to over one million Asians and Pacific Islanders, making up just over 14 percent of the City’s population. Throughout the course of this month, we will highlight resources and aspects of AAPI culture, and we invite you to share your experiences and stories.  E-mail us at co-presidents@ms54pta.org.
​In generating and sharing these resources, we aim to translate alliance into action and amplify the voices of Asian Americans who have always been at the forefront of their own civil rights initiatives throughout history and today.

ResourceS (PDF version)

How YOU can support the AAPI community within our school:
The Asian American Association, a student-led affinity group at MS54, regularly creates activities and digital content to educate their fellow peers about Asian American culture, identity, and history. Last week, they posted an informative slideshow on their Instagram page in response to the tragedy in Atlanta.
  • You can support their work by following them at @aaazn54 and sending supportive messages to the club members
  • You can also view some of their relevant YouTube videos that meet this moment:
    • Week 1 of APAHM: Addressing Hate in the Era of COVID-19
    • #MORETHANAMASK Campaign

How YOU can interrupt the rise of hate crimes by protecting yourself and others:
  • Speak out against a rising trend of bias and hate crimes towards Asian Americans, including in our own community. If you want data to share, here is a fact sheet.
  • Register for free, online bystander intervention and de-escalation training. Right to Be (formerly Hollaback!) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice partner to make this class accessible for all.
  • Learn more about how to recognize a hate crime, and report incidents using this form when you see them.
How YOU can spend to make a difference:
  • Here is a list of 61 organizations that use donations to support AAPI communities. Please, always research carefully before you donate.
  • Asian American business owners and restaurateurs need support. Support Asian-owned restaurants and businesses!

If you identify as AAPI and want specialized support, here are some services:​
  • Learn more about culturally-competent mental health service options specializing in AAPI communities
  • Read the curated list of TV shows, films, podcasts, and books “for Asian Americans, by Asian Americans”

How YOU can learn to make a difference:
If you are looking for literature that reflects Asian and Pacific Islander voices, here are just a few of the many excellent options available:
 
YOUNG ADULT
  • The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
  • Internment by Samira Ahmed
  • American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
  • Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
  • Barefoot Gen series by Keiji Nakazawa
  • Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai
  • When My Name was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
  • Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz
  • American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar
  • A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
  • We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
  • The Arrival by Shaun Tan
  • Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman
 
ADULT/8TH GRADE+
  • Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
  • The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
  • On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
  • The Interpreter by Suki Kim
  • The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
  • My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki
  • Half Gods by Akil Kumarasamy
  • Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
  • Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
  • Please Look After Mom by Kyung-sook Shin
  • This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura
  • Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know by Samira Ahmed
 
SPOKEN WORD POEMS
  • Arhm Choi Wild performs “Story of My Name”
  • Kate Hao and Kristen Sze-Tu performs “Yet Still, I Wait”
  • YaYa performs “Ling Ling”
  • Ins Choi performs “Mine Eyes Are Lean”
  • Ramya Ramana performs “Miss America”
  • G. Yamazawa performs “The Bridge”
  • Franny Choi performs “Choi Jeong Min”
Diversify your Instagram feed by following Asian accounts.
Here are a few options:
  • @aaazn54 - our official MS54 Asian American Association account
  • @asiansformentalhealth - this account specializes in AAPI emotional wellness
  • @asiansforantiracism - posts to spread awareness and combat racism
  • @stopaapihate - addressing Anti-Asian hate
  • @asianpeers - Asian American donation based peer counselling service
  • @qwavenyc - queer and trans AAPI community
  • @aapiprogressiveaction - empowerment, progressive activism
  • @teachandtransform - anti-bias, anti-racist, Asian American educator
  • @hateisavirus - nonprofit with a mission to combat hate through AAPI activism

Engaging digital resources for further learning:
  • Learn about AAPI history with this interactive timeline
  • Browse online collections of artwork, audio, and visual resources and also includes online lesson plans on specific themes/topics/events in Asian Pacific American history and culture.
  • Learn about the history and harms of the model minority myth and how it has been used as a wedge between AAPI and Black American communities.
  • Learn about the tapestry of AAPI communities in the USA through data.
  • PBS has a wealth of video content. Here are two links with opportunities to learn, which we shared last year in honor of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month:
    • "Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May and every day with a special PBS collection of stories that explores the history, traditions and culture of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States." Lots of short videos.
    • The critically-acclaimed documentary series "Asian Americans is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played."
  • Listen and support 31 Asian American podcasters.
MS54 Booker T. Washington
​103 West 107th Street
New York, NY 10025
Phone (212) 678-2861
MS54 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. MS54 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.
© MS54 Booker T. Washington. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • ABOUT MS54
    • General Information
    • Who Was Booker T. Washington?
    • Who Is MS54? >
      • Getting to Know MS54 >
        • Dr. Elana Elster
        • Laura Lynch Geraghty
        • Anne McIntosh Pejovich
        • Emery Dickerson
    • Directory
    • Admissions
    • Curriculum
    • Academy Fellowship
    • Equity Team >
      • African American History Month
      • Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month
      • Support AAPI
      • Equity Team Archive
    • Wellness Committee >
      • Family Healing Ambassadors
      • Wellness Topics and Initiatives Archive
    • Ryan Health Center
  • SCHOOL DURING COVID-19
    • Planning for 2022-2023
    • Returning to School Buildings
  • SUPPORT MS54
    • Annual Appeal
    • Volunteer
  • PTA & SLT
    • PTA >
      • PTA Presentations
      • PTA Reimbursement Form
    • School Leadership Team (SLT)
    • Community Outreach
    • PTA & SLT Meeting Minutes Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
  • FOR PARENTS
    • Absence Procedures
    • Parent/Student Handbook
    • School Forms
    • New Incoming Family Information 2022 - 2023
    • Safety / Emergency Procedures & Storm Delays
    • Class Parents
    • Parent-Teacher Conferences
    • High School Information
    • DOE Resources & News >
      • DOE / District 3 / CEC 3 General Information
      • DOE Info & Community Updates
    • Education Advocacy
  • FOR STUDENTS
    • Summer Assignments & Supply Lists
    • Code of Conduct >
      • Code of Conduct & School Rules
      • Honor Code
      • Cell Phone Policy
      • School Attire
    • Marking Periods / Honor Roll / Late & Missed Work
    • After School
    • Student Activities >
      • Affinity Groups
      • Model UN
      • Boys and Girls Basketball
    • Library
    • Breakfast & Lunch
    • Metrocards & MTA Info
    • Free Tutoring Resources
    • Free Microsoft Software