The first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843.

Just over two decades later, the first transcontinental railroad, much of which was done due to the substantial contributions of Chinese immigrants, was completed on May 10, 1869.

May was chosen as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month to commemorate those two events and celebrate the significant contributions the community has made to the United States. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Month in Yolo County.

According to the resolution presented by Supervisor Mary Vixie Sandy, there are approximately 22 million residents who identify as Asian and about 1.6 million residents who identify as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Island in the United States, accounting for nearly 7% of the total population. An inherently diverse population, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander or AANHPI, is composed of more than 45 distinct ethnicities and more than 100 language dialects.

“We recognize the history, achievements and diversity of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and the systemic barriers to economic justice, health equity and educational attainment and personal safety experienced by many of the AANHPI community,” Vixie Sandy said. “Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month provides the people of the United States with an opportunity to recognize the achievements, contributions and history of and to understand the challenges faced by the community.

“Yolo County will work to ensure that all members of AANHPI communities, no matter their background, the language they speak or their religious beliefs, are treated with dignity, respect and equity.”

Vixie Sandy presented the resolution to Lisa Yep Salinas, Pattie Fong and Jackie Wong, three leaders in the Yolo County AANHPI community.

Yep Salinas, who is also the wife of Yolo County County Assessor, Clerk/Recorder and Chief Election Official Jesse Salinas, was the victim of verbal and physical attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anti-Asian hate rose sharply during the pandemic as the AANHPI community was unfairly blamed for COVID-19 and were the victims of brutal beatings and extreme racism.

“I went to Dr. Mary Sandy’s husband, Gary Sandy, and I said look, the president just passed this resolution to protect AAPI,” Yep Salinas explained. “I think I am not the only one that is suffering this in Yolo County and you are my heroes because you passed that and let the world know and gave hope across the nation.”

Fong talked about the unjust mistreatment the AANHPI community has experienced through various laws and legislation. While going through the Yolo County Farm Records, Fong found evidence of farmers of Japanese descent spread out throughout the county in areas like Knights Landing, Zamora, Winters, West Sac and Clarksburg. However, Fong noted that many of those families did not return to the area following Executive Order 9066 and World War II due to severe Anti-Asian sentiment.

Winters recently attempted to right this wrong with a memorial dedication to honor the Japanese community and the Japantown in Winters. Japantown used to be home to a thriving community before it burned to the ground on V-J Day.

Throughout history, various laws have restricted the rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In addition to Executive Order 9066, the United States saw the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the formation of the Japanese and Korean Exclusion League, school segregation, the 1907 “Gentlemen’s Agreement” and the Immigration Act of 1924, to name a few.

“We’ve always been scapegoated,” Fong said. “We sort of expect it and we hope that our political leadership stands up to protect our rights. These resolutions are good for us to reflect on history so hopefully we don’t repeat it in the future.”

Wong spoke to the importance of standing together to achieve justice and equity. Members of the AANHPI community have historically banded with other underrepresented groups to fight for change such as the Filipino laborers who partnered with Cesar Chavez and the solidarity created between the Asian and Black communities.

“As we come together to receive the recognition for the AANHPI resolution, it’s essential for us to reflect on the deep-rooted history of solidarity that exists between the AANHPI community and other ethnic groups,” Wong emphasized. “The history of unity not only inspires but also guides towards a future where collaboration across ethnic lines leads to transformational change. This I know to be the superpower of so many of our beloved AANHPI leaders, some of whom are with me today, here in Yolo County.

“These solidarity movements are foundational narratives that underscore the importance of our collective action and shared dreams and ultimately, exemplify the power of believing. The courage to change and the vision to achieve a tomorrow that is better than the one we know today.”