26: Still Not a Monolith: How We’re Thinking About AANHPI Heritage Month This Year

What does it mean to be American? What does it mean to be Asian American — and why, in 2026, are so many of us still leading with worry?

Today, in honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, we're diving into the TAAF STAATUS Index 2026 by unpacking some stats that are eye-opening, some that are infuriating, and some that are deeply familiar. We'll talk about how Asian Americans are seen - and how we see ourselves - from the food on our plates to the question of whether you even have to be born here to belong here.

It's AANHPI Heritage Month, and we have some thoughts (unsurprising to all of our regular listeners, we’re sure!). If this episode resonates with you, please share widely - and let us know what action step you decided to take after listening.

What to listen for: 

• The latest data shows that Asian Americans in 2026 feel predominantly worried right now (compared to other groups who feel more “hopeful”) - here’s why we think that might be, and it may not be the why that’s most common

• What does it mean to be American? Do you have to be born in the US? And why do so many folks of Asian descent feel you don’t have to be born here to be American? 

• How Asian culture shows up in our homes. 

• Some ideas for what you can do this month: Watch an Asian film (made by Asians, featuring Asians), have some Asian food, research a significant moment in Asian American history, speak with your Asian friends to learn something new about their lives.