Honoring AANHPI History and Culture in Pittsburgh
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and this year’s theme is “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience.” We're honoring this observance by taking a look back at AANHPI Pittsburgh history, finding local opportunities to honor Asian and Pacific Islander heritage, and uplifting present-day AANHPI history-makers.
The Last Mayor of Chinatown: When artist, writer, and scholar Lena Chen began exploring the history of Pittsburgh’s Chinese community, she learned of Pittsburgh’s nearly-lost Chinatown, which spanned a few blocks downtown and whose former existence is unknown to many. Through Chen’s research, she was led to Shirley Yee, one of the daughters of the last mayor of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown (Yuen Yee). Shirley Yee and Chen began their intimate collaboration that resulted in Chen’s short documentary, The Last Mayor of Chinatown, chronicling Pittsburgh Chinatown’s history and Yuen Yee’s significant impact on it. Learn more about Lena Chen’s journey uncovering the details of this cultural hub.
Mirrors: LGBTQ+ South Asian Voices: Rangoli Pittsburgh is an organization dedicated to creating community and strengthening representation for LGBTQ+ South Asians. Mirrors is “a collection of written and artistic work that is truly by, for, and about LGBTQ+ South Asians,” and in its own way is preserving the experiences, emotions, and stories of Queer and Trans South Asians to be reflected upon and related to for years to come. “In the hope that LGBTQ+ South Asians will see themselves reflected in these stories, we present this collection of happiness and heartbreak, of exploration and discovery, of longing and realization.” Read the collection.
“Bhutanese Refugees Bring a ‘Himalayan Highway’ of Unique Food and Culture to the Route 51 Corridor”: “After being resettled in Pittsburgh far from their home in the Himalayas, many of these refugees and their families have built new lives and put down roots in the region. They've brought with them cultural heritage that includes a unique culinary tradition Pittsburghers can taste at the restaurants and shops lining Route 51.” Read more.
University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms: If you haven’t already visited, the University of Pittsburgh’s Nationality Rooms are opportunities to explore historic architecture from different countries, including China, India, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. These rooms “commemorate the cultural heritages of the communities who supported and planned their construction” and are “based on designs by international architects, designers, artists and craftspeople.” They’re based in the Cathedral of Learning. Learn more about the Nationality Rooms.