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Students, lawmakers rally for AANHPI curriculum in NY public schools
“AANHPI history is American history, reflecting the vibrant cultural fabric of our country,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee.
As the bill moves forward in its third legislative session, supporters are urging lawmakers to act. / Courtesy photo
Lawmakers, students, and advocates on Feb.11 gathered at the New York State Capitol to push for the inclusion of an Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) curriculum in public schools.
The rally supported Senate Bill 3334 / Assembly Bill A4638, sponsored by Senator John C. Liu (D-16) and Assemblymember Grace Lee (D-65), which calls for developing an AANHPI curriculum and assessing existing implementation efforts.
“For far too long, the contributions and struggles of Asian Americans have been marginalized or whitewashed entirely from our classrooms,” said Sen. Liu. “Public schools should teach Asian American history because it’s American history.”
“AANHPI history is American history, reflecting the vibrant cultural fabric of our country,” added Asm. Lee. “By bringing to light the contributions, challenges, and resilience of AANHPI communities, we offer students a more complete and accurate portrayal of our nation’s history.”
The REACH Coalition, formed in 2023, has been a driving force behind the push for inclusive education, with support from over 150 students, parents, educators, and 60+ community organizations.
Advocates speak
“Learning the rich and diverse histories of AANHPI communities is a vital step in combating both the ‘perpetual foreigner’ and ‘model minority’ myths,” said Anita Gundanna and Vanessa Leung of the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families.
“History curriculum can either harm students by making them feel invisible or empower them,” noted Shreya Sunderram of the Localized History Project.
Mohamed Q. Amin, founder of the Caribbean Equality Project, emphasized the importance of teaching Indo-Caribbean history, given New York’s large Indo-Caribbean population. “Teaching Indo-Caribbean history is critical in honoring the legacy, struggles, and resilience of thousands of indentured laborers.”
Speakers at the event. / Courtesy Photo“Education tackles racism at its root,” said Kenny Nguyen of Stop AAPI Hate, noting that hate crimes against AAPI communities remain high.
“It’s more critical than ever to ensure children learn history that fosters inclusivity,” added Harmeet Kaur Kamboj of the Sikh Coalition.
As the bill moves forward in its third legislative session, supporters are urging lawmakers to act. “New York state must teach a curriculum that reflects the ethnic and racial diversity of our classrooms,” said Brianna Cea of OCA-NY and REACH.
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