Philosophy has long centered the perspective and contributions of white male thinkers, especially from Europe and the U.S. In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we have compiled a guide highlighting just a few of the influential AAPI thinkers in order to expand the horizons of philosophy as it is currently understood and learn about the history and achievements of AAPI philosophers. Their works span the areas of Asian American feminism and queer studies, colonial studies, indigenous thought, and justice, among others, and challenge us to think outside of dominant viewpoints. These thinkers represent only a handful of the many important AAPI philosophers of history and today, and we hope you'll continue to learn and explore beyond the scholars and lineages of thought we've highlighted here.
As with many of these national commemorations, one month is never enough time to fully honor and celebrate the history and culture of marginalized communities, let alone heal the legacies (and ongoing reality) of harm they've experienced. We recognize that there is much more to be done, that racism and hate against Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals and communities can't be eliminated simply through the creation of resource guides, and that the work of realizing justice won't soon be over. But nevertheless, we keep trying, contributing how we can and building upon the efforts of those who came before us, and we continue to learn from and with one another.
If you'd like to engage more deeply with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, IU Libraries have created a number of interrelated resources and features to provide more holistic coverage of this remembering. You'll find those, below:
A selection of Asian American and Pacific Islander philosophers, along with a summary of their research areas and interests:
The voices of Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals on their experiences in the field of philosophy.
Video: The Pacific Islander Student Experience. Student Affairs Now Host (2022).
Video: David Kim (University of San Francisco): Xenophobia, Xenophilia, and Anti-Asian Racism. CU Denver Philosophy Department (2022).