Open Letter to Fellow Chinese Americans: Include Chinese American History in U.S. K-12 Curriculum

Author: Yuan Fang, The Association of Chinese Americans for Social Justice

Translator: Michelle X. Li.  APAPA-ACASJ Community Empowerment Internship program

Dear Fellow Chinese Americans:

Since the founding of the country more than 200 years ago, the United States has achieved its glory and greatness by welcoming people of hundreds of ethnicities from all over the world. However, the negative impact of the infamous 61-year long “Chinese Exclusion Act” on the Chinese American community is still prevalent and will continue to pervade into society and hurt our community. The Eurocentric narrative employed in many history textbooks has acknowledged the contributions from many minority groups; however, contributions from the Chinese American community have been largely ignored in U.S. history curriculums. Further, the stereotype of Chinese Americans in American society has been mostly negative. Now is the time for society to correct their negative perceptions of the Chinese American community, and for us to reclaim our true identity. 

From elementary to high school history/social studies classes, students learn about the suffering of Native Americans, African-Americans, Irish immigrants, as well as the Jewish community, etc. However, the contributions from the Chinese Americans, such as their crucial role in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad, have been left out of history textbooks. Even worse, although the Chinese Exclusion Act may be mentioned in the curriculum, the traumatic experiences and long-term suffering of the Chinese American community as a result of the act are not discussed. 

Within our communities, we must recover the true history of Chinese Americans. Only then can we pass these stories to young generations of Chinese Americans, so that they have a better understanding of the great contributions their ancestors made to the United States.

Resources like “The Historical Record of Chinese Americans” will enable young generations of Chinese Americans to understand that our community has contributed to this country just as much as any other group. Then, these young generations of Chinese Americans can be proud of their roots and charge forward to achieve even more greatness.

We must push to have Chinese American history included in the American elementary to secondary school history curriculum so that society will grow to respect the contributions of the Chinese American community, and recognize that Chinese Americans are a vital part of American history and achievements. 

We need to learn from history in order to avoid the tragedy of the “Chinese Exclusion Act” from ever happening again.

“The Historical Record of Chinese Americans” is a nonprofit project that fits the above purpose perfectly and aims to empower the Chinese American community.

All my fellow Chinese Americans, please support this important cause in whichever way you can. We would greatly appreciate donations, volunteering, and any ideas you may have for us! Together, let us compile all the historical records about the contributions, sufferings, and battles for justice from the Chinese American community. Our ultimate goal is to include this important Chinese American history into elementary and secondary school curriculums.

We need many volunteers, and people who will take action on this important subject. Let us start now!

Please share with others!

Link to historical records: https://usdandelion.com/