At Stryker, we are proud of the work we are doing to promote cultural diversity within our workplace. Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrated in May, is meant to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.
To kick off the month, we asked some of our employees how they plan to celebrate, educate themselves and continue to push for racial equity—both in and outside of work. Here’s what we heard.
1. Join or create an Asian employee resource group
If your workplace has an employee resource group, such as Stryker’s Asian Community Empowerment (ACE) group, consider joining. ACE is made up of employees whose mission is to promote Asian cultural awareness, professional development and inclusivity for all employees across Stryker.
If your workplace doesn’t have an employee resource group for Asian employees, AAPI Heritage Month is a great time to work on creating one.
2. Learn more about AAPI history
Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S. according to the Pew Research Center – but Asian and Pacific Islander culture in America is complex and includes a wide range of groups. AAPI Month celebrates cultures including, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Samoan, Indian, Filipino, and Polynesian. Each of these groups has a rich history, traditions, and customs that are truly unique. During the month of May, take time to learn about the different subsets of these communities and what makes each culture vibrant.
Whether you watch a documentary, listen to a podcast, or opt to read a book, taking the time to dive deeper into an Asian American and Pacific Islander culture will only enrich your life.
3. Develop a new skill or hobby
Spend time this month learning about traditional past times originating from Asian or Pacific Islander culture. There are many resources available online or in local communities to help you hone your crafts.
Learn more about traditions and the arts from Asian and Pacific Islander cultures. Some examples include Japanese horticulture, the art of origami or the different types of yoga practices.
Enjoy a local restaurant or try a new recipe rooted in these cultures
Visit museums specializing in Asian or Pacific Islander art and history
Remember, one of the most important things you can do when learning, appreciating and celebrating a culture other than your own, is to educate yourself on their history and hardships. Being respectful of the traditions and practices of culture is essential.
4. Involve your family
Research shows representation matters, especially for kids. Learning about a wide range of cultures encourages kids to have a broader view of the world and empowers them to imagine more possibilities for the future.
Ways to include your family in the AAPI Heritage Month celebration are:
Try a new meal from another culture
Have a movie night featuring Asian American or Pacific Islander families
Learn about holidays celebrated by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities
5. Continue the celebration
With so much to learn and accomplish, why contain the celebration to just a month? We hope you’ll be able to take items from this list and implement them into your daily lives—and continue to make a difference throughout the year!
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