As May ends and June begins, we should reflect upon the importance of this past month as Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month. In 1992, May was designated by the United States government as APA Heritage Month, in remembrance of the trials and triumphs of those of Asian-descent in U.S. history. UCLA Library Special Collections possesses numerous holdings which reflect this past  Though the majority of these collections primarily originate from the 20^th century, APAs have played a significant part in this country’s multi-faceted, multicultural past since the mid-19^th century—and in certain cases, even prior to that. Presently, as the fastest growing racial group in the U.S., increasingly many APAs will want to look to their heritage, through materials such as these and the stories they signify, as they help shape the future of America.

The following are a sampling of the collections at UCLA:

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Yuichi Hitata, photographed by Ansel Adams

Hitata was an internee at the Manzanar War Relocation Center in the Owens Valley in Central California. Sympathetic to the plight of Japanese Americans, Adam chose to portray his subjects as figures of empowerment rather than figures of victimization.  (Manzanar War Relocation Center records, 1942-1946; Collection 122.)

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Political and social activist pins from the 1960s and 1970s.

Juxtaposed against the campaign buttons, which reflect traditional modes of vying for political power, are the activist pins showing support for ideas of anti-war, anti-racism, and for farm labor representation. Of note are the buttons from the Asian American Movement, also known as the “Yellow Power Movement,” which ultimately contributed to the establishment of ethnic studies programs at colleges and universities across the country, including UCLA. (Steve Louie Asian American Movement Collection, 1930-1980; Collection 1805.)

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Screen shot of MiniDV recording of the Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble performing a Southeast Asian form of music and dance conducted through gong and drum.

This performance in particular exhibits the Filipino form of Kulintang. Performed outside a commercial shopping outlet in Los Angeles, this image illustrates the cultural diversity of the city’s residents in an urban environment. (Collection 2003.5: Archiving Filipino American Music in Los Angeles Collection, 1980-2004. Care of the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive.)

By Annie Tang, Association of Research Libraries/Society of American Archivists Mosaic Fellow