February 29, 2024
Over the last few weeks, I have presented AAPI Youth Rising’s One Day of AAPI History to three different middle school classes. The last thing I expected was to learn myself from the experience and leave with a couple of impactful takeaways—realizations that I continue to think about:
- AAPI History is a topic that needs to be covered more in history classes in our classrooms. I asked one of the classes to name as many Asian ethnicities as they could. After listening to many of the enthusiastic responses, one student raised his hand, and with all seriousness, said “Caucasian.” I was caught off guard because of the fact that the student was dead-serious. After explaining why that answer didn’t quite fit, I realized how crucial it is to bring more AAPI history into our classrooms. It hit me that there’s a real gap in what kids are learning. They need a more inclusive education that covers the incredible diversity of Asian American and Pacific Islander experiences. The student’s response made it clear to me that there’s not enough awareness and education about AAPI history, and it’s time to bridge that gap.
- It’s crucial for Asian Americans to be able to share their experiences, regardless of their age. I was genuinely shocked by the stories that young Asian American students revealed to me. Their narratives mirrored my own encounters, and the stories were touching as I could sense the vulnerability of the students. These stories show us why it’s so crucial to recognize and deal with the challenges that young Asian Americans face. It’s not just about our personal stories; it’s about how these stories connect us and help us understand each other better. These stories remind us that we’re all in this together, and by sharing our experiences, we can make a difference in how people see us and understand our community.
Best, Matthew Sugiyama