Dear John,

During the month of May, we recognize, honor, and celebrate the heritage of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans — the fastest growing of any major racial or ethnic group in the United States with incredible power to determine the direction of our country.

With COVID-19, we have witnessed an increase in hate crimes against our siblings in the Asian American-Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community, and it is unforgivable. Furthermore, federal agencies are doing little about it. We have an absolute moral obligation to call out and stop hate when we see it.

With roots tracing to more than 20 countries, each with unique histories, cultures, languages, and more, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are an integral part of the American story and the fabric of our communities.

We invite you and your family and friends to join us to watch Asian Americans, a comprehensive new PBS documentary on the role of Asian Americans in U.S. history. While other documentaries have explored a specific ethnic focus or historical moment, this docuseries uses personal stories to highlight the contributions of the AAPI community as a whole throughout American history.

This two night event is more important now than ever, and gives us all an opportunity to learn more about this greatly diverse community connected through an array of shared cultural practices and struggles.

We hope you tune in on May 11 and 12 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on your local PBS station! Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #AsianAmPBS.

Finally, we want to recognize our friends at APIAVote, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and all the state and local groups that are working to organize our communities for a better tomorrow. Let’s join together to #StopAAPIHate and take this opportunity to learn more about Asian and Pacific Islander Americans throughout history.

Sincerely,

Olivia Guerrieri
Civic Technology and Policy Associate, Rock the Vote

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