Proclaiming April Hmong American History Month, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) took his proclamation one step further.
He signed a bill that will make the teaching of Hmong American history and Asian American studies mandatory in the state, reports the Washington Examiner.
“I’ve been proud to sign several key pieces of bipartisan legislation into law to recognize the contributions Hmong and Asian American folks have made to our state and our country, and this bill builds upon those efforts, ensuring the histories and stories of Hmong and Asian American communities are part of state curriculum for future generations,” Spectrum News quoted him as saying.
K-12 classes in the state had already been required to teach Black American, Hispanic American and Native American history.
Wisconsin is home to the third largest Hmong population in the country with 50,000 living in Wisconsin, according to the Wassau Pilot Review.
In July 2021, Illinois became the first state in the country to mandate the teaching of Asian American Studies. By the following states, 19 states taught it with 15 more considering adding it to the curriculum.
The teaching of Asian American Studies has been an important strategy in countering anti-Asian hate.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
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He signed a bill into a law