Florida state senators Linda Stewart and Ana Maria Rodriguez introduced a bill that would require the instruction of Asian American and Pacific Islander history in Florida public schools.
Senate Bill 294 is a bipartisan effort that promotes the education of AAPI culture and contributions to American society, according to Senator Stewart’s office.
“Incorporating Asian studies in the classroom allows students to uncover fresh global perspectives.” Rodriguez said. “Through its culturally diverse and rich history, students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Asian community.”
This bill comes amidst the news of a Lunar New Year shooting in Monterey Park, California that killed 11 AAPI people.
“It is necessary now more than ever to educate young people on different cultures given the Asian American hate crimes that have been happening across the country, most recently with the mass shootings in California,” Stewart said.
Components of the bill also call for the teachings of African American and Jewish American history, WKMG reported.
Mimi Chan, Florida director of Make Us Visible, a national AAPI-based education organization, told WKMG that she helped lead the effort to get the measure to lawmakers.
“As someone who grew up in Florida and educated in Florida, I did not learn about Asian American history in school,” Chan said. “I went to public school. I graduated from UCF. It was definitely something that was missing from my education.”
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