By Yvette M. Alex-Assensoh

Minoru "Min" Yasui was the first Japanese American to graduate from UO Law and the first Japanese American to pass the Oregon Bar. His experience growing up as a second generation Japanese American in Hood River, where he and his family endured discrimination and Oregon’s anti-Japanese policies, inspired him to dedicate his life to advocacy for all people. On May 4, the University will celebrate his life and legacy with a naming ceremony for Yasui Hall. 

There couldn’t be a more suitable time to honor the legacy of Minoru Yasui given that May is Asian Desi Pacific Island American Heritage Month (ADPI Heritage Month), a time we celebrate the diverse heritage and contributions of Americans of Asian and Pacific Island descent. The observance began as one week-long in 1978, and in 1990, it was extended to a month. ADPI Heritage Month affords us an opportunity for growth by connecting with the various cultures within the ADPI community. At the UO, we have a plethora of opportunities to not only to learn about the nuances and diversity within the Asian Desi Pacific Islanders communities but also unpack biases that we have unconsciously learned.  
  
Many Asian Americans, especially in the Pacific Northwest, can trace their ancestry back more than one hundred years in this region. The first Asian Americans to arrive in Oregon were of Chinese Cantonese origin. They, along with Japanese immigrants, worked farms, fishing canneries, and lumber mills. And by the 1870s, as Oregon’s infrastructure expanded up to Washington State and down to California, Chinese workers were essential to developing the railroad.   
  
Today, Asian Americans and Asian immigrants of not only East Asia but also South Asia and the Pacific Islands are one of the fastest growing groups in our region. The more we lean into cultural heritage months and celebrate the richness of our respective American stories, the sooner we recognize there is no singular identity that is required to be an “American.” Leaning in — and learning — helps us realize that we are one nation comprised of many people of varied ethnicities. All of our stories collectively tell a uniquely American story.  
  
This month, a multitude of events will offer the UO community a chance to expand their perspectives and celebrate ADPI traditions and histories. From this month through February 2026, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History is hosting an exhibit called "Roots and Resilience — Chinese American Heritage in Oregon". The exhibit showcases more than 150 years of Chinese American history in Oregon, including their contributions to various industries and their cultural impact. In addition to the Yasui Hall dedication and film screening of “Never Give Up! Minoru Yasui and the Fight for Justice”, the Hui 'O Hawai'i will host their 50th annual Lūʻau and Hōʻike on Saturday, May 3rd at Matthew Knight Arena. This year’s theme is “I ka wā ma mua, ka wā ma hope,” which translates to “The Future is in the Past”. The event will feature food, a show, and a celebration of diverse Pacific Islander cultures.  
  
May we continue to honor the past, present and future of all Americans of Asian, Desi and Pacific Islander descent. And as we honor the legacy of Minoru Yasui, may we recommit to treating one another other with dignity, acknowledging our shared humanity.