A group of Asian New York parents is asking the Department of Education to include Asian-American history in elementary and middle school textbooks so that children know about the contributions of Asians to the United States, where they otherwise seem to be “forever foreigners.
In a letter with 2,600 signatures, the Asian parents told Mayor White and Superintendent of Education Meisha Ross-Porter that the absence of Asian-American history in textbooks contributes to societal prejudice against Asians.
“The current increase in hate crimes and violent crimes against Asians highlights the lack of Asian-American history content in our children’s education.” The letter reads, “As parents of New York public school students, we ask that you take immediate action to establish and promote the inclusion of Asian-American history and culture in textbooks.”
The parents also demanded that Asian American Culture Month be formally recognized in all public school instruction and that Asian children, as well as their classmates, be taught how to deal with racial discrimination.
Yiatin Chu, the lead author of the appeal letter and a New York City education advocate, told the newspaper that the letter was drafted two weeks ago. It began when several Chinese parents in New York City, including Li Xia, Yu Ting, Song Lulu and Zhou Yidong, attended a rally in Brooklyn. At the rally, they heard from Chinese teachers that there is never any mention of Asian Americans in the history books of New York public schools. In fact, Chinese workers made important contributions to the construction of the Interstate Railroad in the United States. Therefore, these Chinese parents believe that such an important history should be included in elementary and middle school textbooks.
Athena Chu, who graduated from a New York public school, said that she herself grew up with only the history of European exploitation of Americans, and only in recent years has she learned about the great contributions of Chinese workers to the United States.
“So I think it’s important for our children, Chinese, Korean, etc., Asian Americans to learn about themselves and for their classmates to learn about our history.” Otherwise, she said, “Asian-Americans will be seen as ‘forever foreigners’ who have done nothing to America, and thus be at a disadvantage in terms of racism and prejudice, but we actually did contribute.”
Athena Chu suggests that Chinese parents can start now by suggesting to school leadership that during Asian American Culture Month in May, schools invite elite Asian Americans who have made or are making outstanding contributions to the United States in various fields of society and invite them to hold events with Asian students to speak about Asian American contributions to this country. s contributions to this country.
“This is just a small step.” Athena Chu said the parents will now also disseminate the letter, cosign it and then go to elected officials with the initiative; at the same time, the parents will also work with state Senator Charles Liu and others to fight for relevant legislation as soon as possible.
“The current hate crimes against Asians are something we don’t want to happen.” Athena Chu said, “But if we can use this to do something to elevate the status of Asian Americans in American society, then some positive outcomes can be reached as well.”
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