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伊利诺伊州议员谈为什么“排华历史”应该纳入中小学课本
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伊利诺伊州议员谈为什么“排华历史”应该纳入中小学课本
- Rep. Jennifer Gong-GershowitzAPAPA Speech – May 14, 2022Thank you for inviting me here to speak tonight. I am so grateful for the workthat Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Assoc (APAPA) does around thecountry, particularly around including Asian American voices and stories in schoolcurriculum.My family’s story--or what I knew of it until law school--was the fairytale versionof the quintessential “American immigrant story” – one that paints a picture ofsuccess, achievement and belonging. It was all true, but it isn’t the whole story.I am a third generation Chinese American. My grandparents came to this countryin the 1920s, started a business and a family, raising their 5 children in what wasthen the small town of Portland, Oregon. All 5 graduated from college, amongthem – a doctor, a scientist, a college professor, a music teacher and an artist.Two of my uncles served in WWII and my father served our nation in Viet Nam.What’s missing is the critical context for my family’s experience, which isreflective of the shared experience that shapes what I now understand is AsianAmerican history.I first learned of the Chinese Exclusion Acts and studied the constitutionality ofincarcerating Japanese Americans in the 1940s when I was in law school.Throughout elementary school, high school, and college, none of my history orsocial studies classes covered these or other Asian American stories.I knew nothing of my own family’s history or the shared experiences of otherAsian American families that are fundamental to American history until lawschool. And so, my cousin, my father, and I began to research our own familyhistory.We learned that my grandparents faced discrimination and deportation underracist policies codified in the Chinese Exclusion Acts. For years, they lived in fearof being deported at any moment simply because they were Chinese. They wereconsidered illegal human beings by our government at the time.My father was just a baby during all of this and my grandparents kept certaininformation from him as he grew up. I thought I had hit a dead end and detailsabout my family’s history would forever be a question mark until I learned thatmy grandparents had been represented by a civil rights lawyer who fought my
- Rep. Jennifer Gong-GershowitzAPAPA Speech – May 14, 2022grandparents’ deportation for over a decade and that his sister-in-law was stillliving in Portland.My Dad and I went to Portland as soon as we could and she filled in so much ofwhat had been lost to time as we retraced our shared histories.Like many immigrants, my grandparents had no idea how to best representthemselves in an American court of law. They had no legal background,particularly in American law. They weren’t native English speakers. To be frank,the cards were stacked firmly against them.But thankfully there was a civil rights attorney that helped my family. He guidedthem through the legal process, navigated the often-byzantine immigrationsystem, and ultimately helped my grandparents secure United States citizenshiponce and for all. Had my grandparents been denied access to representation –whether through a lack of right or lack of access – I would not be standing in frontof you today.It is because my grandparents had access to representation that they were able tosecure justice. It is that simple fact that inspired me to focus on immigration law,to become the first American to earn a degree in International Human Rights Lawat Northwestern University, and to launch a legal aid practice to help immigrantfamilies just like that civil rights attorney helped mine.It also inspired me to run for office. As a legislator, my job is to shape policy thatreflects my community’s values and to fulfill my duty each and every day to act inthe public interest and for the common good. As 1 of only 4 Asian Americans outof 118 members of the Illinois House, I also have the distinct honor andresponsibility to ensure that the Asian American community has a voice in thelegislature.I didn’t learn my family’s story until I was in law school. Critical pieces ofAmerican history were missing from my education. I wasn’t told about theChinese Exclusion Acts in history class. Because of that, a piece of who I am – myidentity – was missing.That’s why I sponsored a piece of legislation known as the TEAACH Act, whichmade Illinois the first state in America to require k12 history classes include a uniton Asian American history.
- Rep. Jennifer Gong-GershowitzAPAPA Speech – May 14, 2022The TEAACH Act is about uplifting Asian American stories at a time of rising anti-Asian hate and violence, ensuring that Asian American history is taught in school.The lack of representation in curriculum, positions of power and in media leads tomiseducation. The TEAACH Act allows all students to learn that Asian Americanshave been a part of the fabric of American history, providing a framework for allstudents to better understand Asian American communities, experiences, andhistories.This legislation is very personal to me. Learning the truth about my family’shistory and the larger history of the Asian American community was a pivotalmoment that inspired me to dedicate my life to fighting for people whose basichuman rights are at risk. This legislation ensures the next generation of AsianAmerican leaders won’t have to travel across the country or attend law school tolearn about their own history and heritage.The TEAACH Act provides examples to young Asian American students who oftensee a lack of role models in commonly-taught American history. I believe that youcannot be what you cannot see, and we must let Asian American students seewhat people that look like them have accomplished and how crucial we havebeen to this great nation. Ensuring that Asian American history is taught in ourschools lays a foundation for all students in Illinois and advances racial equality.I also believe that empathy comes from understanding. We cannot do betterunless we know better. But – when people don’t learn about Asian Americans,the effect is non-Asian people start to believe in stereotypes and behave towardsAsian Americans based on those stereotypes. A lack of knowledge is the rootcause of discrimination and the best weapon against ignorance is education.The TEAACH Act takes effect during the 2022-2023 school year in Illinois. AfterTEAACH Act was passed last year, the State Board of Education startedimplementation efforts almost immediately. First, a working group made up ofeducators across the state of Illinois, particularly those with expertise in AsianAmerican history, and a broad group of community leaders representing thediverse Asian American community was assembled. Of the 25 members of theworking group, 19 identify as AAPI. That working group developed a variety offree resources for teachers across grade levels and subject areas – not just in
- Rep. Jennifer Gong-GershowitzAPAPA Speech – May 14, 2022social studies or history, but incorporating relevant themes and concepts via art,music, and other subjects.Local grassroots efforts by Asian American organizations and individuals haveproven invaluable to the process. The locally-focused orgs also working with localschools to develop and implement appropriate curriculum.Much of the guidance surrounding implementation of the TEAACH Act will occurthrough regional State Board of Education offices, which work with local schoolboards to facilitate. These regional offices will work closely with local schooldistricts to implement policies that fit best.When we went to launch TEAACH, we understood that the disparity in fundingfrom one school to the next would doom a one-size-fits-all approach. Accordingto a recent report by GreatSchools.com Illinois has over 800 school districts thatinclude over 10,000 schools – there are tremendous differences in the advantagesand challenges each of these schools face.Resources must be made available at no cost to teachers. For example, the PBSdocumentary offers companion common core curriculum resources aligned withnational standards. The Illinois State Board of Education has developed a varietyof free resources to be used in classrooms, as well. It is an excellent start, butcreating more high-quality, grade-specific content available for free to all studentsand teachers is crucial expanding these efforts.We are also exploring a certification course with the University of Illinois forteachers that would be made available to provide formal certification/continuingeducation in teaching Asian American history.I applaud Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs for the work you are doingaround the country to implement legislation similar to the TEAACH Act. I wasoverjoyed when I learned that New Jersey has established a similar law.From what I understand, you are currently working at the grassroots level inCalifornia to get SB 1363 approved, which would encourage Asian Americanhistory to be taught in grades 1 through 12. Getting this legislation approvedwould be a major victory for millions of students in California.
- Rep. Jennifer Gong-GershowitzAPAPA Speech – May 14, 2022As an advocate for public policy, your most powerful tool is your voice. Be heard!Call your state legislators, your governor, and anyone else who might play a rolein ensuring greater access to Asian American history.In my experience as a legislator, I have found that if one constituent calls meabout an issue, I notice. If five constituents call me about an issue, we have astaff meeting to discuss the issue. If ten people call me about an issue, I can beconfident that most of the district is concerned about the same issue.If there isn’t already an effort to pass similar legislation in your state, you can bethe catalyst that starts the change. APAPA has resources to help you bring themessage to your legislator and encourage them to take up this crucially-importantpiece of legislation.
