#hoping all these posts reach the Asian-loving RPers out there

[iron-sparrow]

嗨 again! ₊˚❀ May is almost over, and like so many of you, I'm super excited for what Pride Month has in store. Before then, however, I have another resource update I'd like to share for AANHPI/AAPI Heritage Month.

For many of us who grew up in the Asian diaspora, our heritage likely wasn't always a point of pride for us. We have been bullied ⸺ for looking like we do, speaking the way we speak, and eating the foods we love ⸺ even while we watch our cultures flaunted by other people as an aesthetic or trend. (Describing narrow eyes as "ch*nky" isn't cute!)

While this reality remains, the platforms with which we can speak our truths have expanded. More resources that truly uplift and celebrate us are available. So please have a browse below, at these 10 wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated picture books. ๋࣭⭑♡⸝⸝

❖ Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is written by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dung Ho, and focuses on a young East Asian girl who notices her eyes look different from her peers'. The book aims to show the beauty of East Asian eyes while reminding readers that everyone is beautiful. Also consider her 2022 sequel, Eyes That Speak to the Stars.

❖ The Spice Box is written by Meera Sriram and illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat. In it, a father and son share family stories through a spice box that's been handed down from generation to generation. Also consider Sriram's award-winning book, A Gift for Amma: Market Day in India.

❖ Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight is written by Jen Bryant and illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura. The book centers around Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first Asian-American woman to be elected to Congress, and the fight for Title IX, the landmark federal civil rights law in the United States that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government.

❖ My Name Is as Long as a River is written by Suma Subramaniam and illustrated by Tara Anand. In this book, an Indian girl who did not find her own very-long name particularly special learns about the true beauty and meaning behind her it. Journey with her along the river she was named after. Also consider Subramaniam's 2022 work Namaste Is a Greeting.

❖ Niki Nakayama: A Chef's Tale in 13 Bites is written by Debbi Michiko Florence and Jamie Michalak, and illustrated by Yuko Jones. The book is about (Surprise!) Niki Nakayama, a Japanese-American chef who was featured in Netflix's Chef's Table. Read about Chef Nakayama's journey from making wonton wrapper pizza as a kid to owning her own Michelin-starred restaurant, n/naka.

❖ Natsumi! is written by Susan Lendroth and illustrated by Priscilla Burris. The story explores a young Japanese girl's efforts to practice her town's traditional festival arts. However, she's just a little too energetic and imaginative for some. In the end, she learns to be true to herself and finds the perfect way to participate.

❖ The Most Beautiful Thing is written by Kao Kalia Yang and illustrated by Khao Le. The story is inspired by Kao Kalia Yang's own childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee in the United States, and how her grandmother teaches her to see the true value and richness around her, despite her family's situation. Also consider her 2024 book, Where Rivers Part.

❖ My Mother's Tongues: A Weaving of Languages is written by Uma Menon and illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. In it, Sumi observes her mother switching effortlessly between English and Malayalam, and sees this as a superpower. The story delves into her mother's migration from India, and touches on linguistic diversity and accent discrimination.

❖ How We Say We Love You is written by Nicole Chen and illustrated by Lenny Wen. The story explores an Asian-American girl's experiences with how her family expresses their love for each other through actions, rather than words. A Taiwanese-American writer, Chen has also authored It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! and Lily Xiao Speaks Out.

❖ Everyone Is Welcome is written by Phuong Truong and illustrated by Christine Wei. This book grapples with the reality of anti-Asian hate through the eyes of a little girl, who learns about her grandmother's friend being pushed down while going to the market and the kids at her brother's school being afraid to walk alone. With help from her mother and her friends, she sets out to spread kindness. When everyone feels safe, everyone feels welcome.

All the books above were brought to my attention by MaiStoryBook Library, run by Maya Lê. She has a mailing list and is very active on social media.

As always, remember to continue your education and efforts all year. Supporting and recognizing underrepresented communities should be a long-term endeavor!

And again, thank you for all your reblogs to keep this topic circling in (and beyond) our little FFXIV tumblr-sphere. I'm also very touched to learn that this has reached and inspired other Asian folks out there. To share a fandom and this great diaspora with you all is a joy.

ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

AANHPI Heritage Month ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. Asian American ‧ Native Hawaiian ‧ Pacific Islander

In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in the United States.

Real talk? For millions of us living here, every month is our "heritage month." However, May is just when we make everyone else celebrate -- or at least pretend to care.

So go forth and heritage it up, in any way you see fit. Connect with your ancestors. Educate yourself on our shared history. Support your favorite AANHPI business or discover a new one.

Let's all have a good month.