*** Note: This blog was written by our former Director of Marketing Preston Simmons.

The efforts of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders helped form the United States and aspects of these culture are very noticeable in American culture. Because Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month was during this past month of May, we would like to reflect upon the notable accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islander individuals. We have selected a woman and man of Asian descent who have helped change the history of the United States as well as a man and woman of Pacific Islander heritage who have impacted their respective nations.

1. Yuri Kochiyama

Yuri Kochiyama was a Japanese-American civil and political rights activist who lived in the state of California. Regarding her activism, the Zinn Education Project wrote: “Kochiyama’s activism started in Harlem in the early 1960s, where she participated in the Asian American, Black, and Third World movements for civil and human rights, ethnic studies, and against the war in Vietnam”. The fact that she was able to campaign for the rights of so many different groups says a lot about her character. Although she undoubtedly faced hardship during her activism, her efforts have aided in the continued fight against racism.

2. Wong Kim Ark

Wong was an individual who fought against government discrimination for a particular cause that affected him and other individuals of Chinese descent in the 1870s. Reflecting upon the background of this situation, the website Oyez said: “Because Wong was born in the United States and his parents were not “employed in any diplomatic or official capacity under the Emperor of China,” he had the right to be made a citizen of the United States. Immigration History reminds us that this Supreme Court case led to the creation of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, which “granted birthright citizenship to any person born in the United States, regardless of race or the status of their parents”.  Wong’s determination and persistence allowed a group of discriminated individuals to enjoy freedoms that the law should have granted automatically and the positive effects of this decision can still be seen today.

3. Queen Liliuokalani

Another individual who served her native Hawaiian people by doing her best to defend their rights from the intrusion of the United States government was Queen Liliuokalani. History.com mentions: “In early 1891… as queen, she acted to implement a new constitution that would restore the powers lost to the monarchy through the Bayonet Constitution”. This article also mentioned that after some of her followers tried to stage their own revolt that she did not support to restore her to her rightful place as queen. After this insurrection occurred, she “agreed to sign a formal abdication in late January in exchange for the pardon of the supporters who had led the revolt”. The diligent but peaceful way in which Queen Liliuokalani reigned as queen teaches that we can do our best to accomplish our goals while always utilizing by peaceful strategies. Her experience also teaches that we may not always receive the results that we would like, but we can always choose how we react amidst conflict.

4. Futa Helu

Futa Helu was a Tongan educator, philosopher and historian. Regarding Helu’s legacy, DBpedia stated: “Futa Helu was a Tongan philosopher, historian, and educator. [He] launched an educational institute named Atenisi [which became] a university in 1975”. Futa’s lifelong dedication to educating Tongan students through his institution indicates that he knows that education is one of the most important and transformative experiences that a person can have. These students will better themselves academically, professionally and personally by attending this university and will be able to improve their nation’s economy and the lives of their fellow Tongans.

We hope that you have been able to learn more about these incredible individual’s accomplishments. Through their tireless efforts, they were able to improve the lives of generations to come. We encourage you to reflect upon your own accomplishments as well as what goals you would like to attain in your life, and then do all that you can to achieve. them. Click on the links below to follow us on social media!

————————————————————–

Facebook: Peace360 Initiative

Instagram: Peace360 Initiative