Did you know that the first Asians to enter what we now know as the United States were Filipino sailors on Spanish galleon ships who arrived in central California in 1587?
As a proud Filipino-American who only arrived here as part of the wave of Asian immigration to the U.S. in the '70s and '80s, I'm thrilled to showcase some of my favorite Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) creators and bloggers who have made WordPress.com their home.
Food, glorious food
Millions of us make up the global Asian diaspora in nearly every country in the world, hailing from one or more of the 48 Asian countries. We may come from unique cultures, but there's one thing that binds us all together: our deep and abiding love of food.
Check out these mouth-watering food blogs, complete with step-by-step recipes and, of course, plenty of colorful photos to inspire you to break out your favorite wok or kawali.
Although this blog hasn't been updated in a while, with literally hundreds of recipes in the archive, you'll never run out of dishes to try. Inspired by his years learning traditional cooking techniques from his mother, the author, a San Francisco-based Filipino-American, weaves personal stories into each meticulously developed recipe.
An eclectic mix of book reviews, poetry, recipes, and personal essays, this site is a whimsical journey through the writer's culinary and reading adventures.
Pop culture
These sites dive into the vibrant, ever-evolving world of AAPI pop culture, amplifying voices, dissecting trends, and celebrating representation.
The dazzling mosaic of pop culture-infused images in the header of this site lifts my mood every time I visit. Although it's not specifically positioned as an Asian-American pop culture site, a quick perusal of its posts makes clear its creative roots in our community.
Yes, this blog is written by and for students at New York University, but it's really for anyone who shares their passion for AAPI representation in pop culture, especially among Gen Alpha.
Add to your TBR
I think just about every other site publishes "to be read" listicles of AAPI authors and books in May. Let's give it up to those creators and bloggers who focus their reviews on our community's literary output year-round.
Thirty-something Taiwanese-American blogger Shenwei shines a spotlight on YA, adult fiction, and middle-grade books through an "Asian-Americanist lens." She doesn't just provide quick summaries; she also includes author interviews and curated playlists for select books.
There is a specific subgroup of book lovers who love books about books. And bookstores. I'm a card-carrying member of this special subgroup, and when I saw this particular post show up on my Reader feed, I knew I'd found a kindred spirit. She's a voracious reader, and I love her joyful and authentic voice.
Stories that stay with you
When identity spans countries, cultures, and histories, stories like these delve deeply into questions of culture, family, and what it means to find one's place in the world.
This blog powerfully documents the singular experiences and challenges of transracial adoptions. The writer, herself one of 80,000 adoptees from China who now live in the US, is a professional social worker, prolific author, and speaker on the topic.
I'm always looking for more blog recommendations about the AAPI experience, so please share your favorites in the comments!
And if you're feeling inspired to start your own, WordPress.com has everything you need to bring your story to life, like beautiful themes, powerful tools, and a community that's got your back.
