A new bill in Wisconsin would require schools to teach Asian American, and specifically Hmong American history, WQOW reports.
Senate Bill 240 was introduced by Republican Senator Jesse James of Altoona and other lawmakers in early April. The bill was referred to the Committee on Education on April 14. It has received bi-partisan support so far.
“Hmong history is Wisconsin history as far as I’m concerned. They fought alongside the US during the Vietnam War and were forced to find refuge in other countries to avoid persecution. Many chose to make our state their home, including places like Eau Claire and Wausau. When we tell their story, we are telling our story. I think the importance of that cannot be overstated,” said Sen. James, according to WQOW.
Educators and students have been pushing for an Asian American studies curriculum for years.
“It’s definitely important for us to learn about Asian Americans because we kind of all have different histories (of) how Asian Americans first came to America,” Madison East High School junior Logan Moua told The Cap Times. “We’re very generalized as a stereotypical Asian, like ‘we’re all good at math.’”
A total of 19 states now require Asian American studies to be taught in public schools. Wisconsin could be the next state to mandate an AAPI studies curriculum.
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