A group of Asian-American New Yorkers are demanding inclusion in the Department of Education’s cultural curriculum — saying they have been excluded from recent diversity pushes.
A letter endorsed by 2,500 city parents and others demanded the immediate incorporation of Asian-American history into DOE curricular priorities.
Addressed to Mayor Bill de Blasio and schools Chancellor Meisha Ross-Porter, the missive argues that Asian-American invisibility in school materials is fueling bias.
“The recent surge in anti-Asian hate crimes and violence has highlighted the woefully inadequate education pertaining to Asian American history that our children receive,” the letter states. “As parents of Asian-American students in NYC public schools, we urge you to take immediate actions to establish and promote a curriculum that is inclusive of Asian-American history and culture.”
Brandon Elliot was accused of assaulting an Asian woman in Manhattan on March 29, 2021 amid the disturbing wave of anti-Asian violence. NYPDThe letter calls for the teaching of Asian-American history in all public schools, the formal recognition and celebration of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and the instruction of Asian kids and their classmates on how to confront racism.
One of the letter’s authors, Yiatin Chu, said that the near nonexistence of Asians in DOE content has cast them as “perpetual foreigners” vulnerable to racism and bias.
A letter addressed to Bill de Blasio and schools Chancellor Meisha Ross-Porter, pictured, called for more inclusion of Asian American history in the school curriculum. Alexandra Salmieri/Staten Island Advance via AP, Pool“There hasn’t been any focus on the Asian-American experience,” she said. “We need to teach our kids about the contributions of Asian-Americans to this country.”
While they often predominate at the city’s most competitive schools, Chu noted that Asians are largely absent from lessons.
She said that has been largely attributable to a lack of political engagement and activism.
But a rise in civic assertiveness — accelerated most recently by a wave of anti-Asian attacks — is turning that tide, Chu said.
Brandon Elliot seen in a video still after allegedly assaulting an Asian woman in Midtown. NYPD“We believe that by learning about the history of each member of our community–how we arrived at this land and how we helped to build this nation and city together–we will be more united, empathetic, and respectful to each other,” the letter states.
Meanwhile, state Sen. John Liu and others are separately introducing new legislation that would require Asian-American history classes in schools.
“Amid the onslaught of anti-Asian hate, assault, and killings, this legislation is necessary to remove the cloak of invisibility that Asian-Americans have long endured in order to truly achieve equal opportunity, equal treatment, and equal protection,” Liu said in a statement.
The DOE said it would build on existing Asian American curricular content in city schools.
“The DOE produces and provides high-quality, culturally responsive curricula and resources for schools, and this letter underscores the importance of that work,” said DOE spokesperson Sarah Casasnovas. “We remain committed to making sure our Asian American and Pacific Islander students see themselves and their peers in the books they read and the lessons they learn.”
