NEW YORK (May 9, 2023) --  REACH (Representing and Empowering AANHPI Community History) Coalition is proud to support the reintroduction of S5963/A6579, which seeks to mandate the integration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history into the social studies curriculum.

The bill will help ensure that the youth of New York are taught the history of AANHPIs in New York and the Northeast, the movements and policies that impacted the AANHPI community in the United States, the contributions made by the AANHPI community, the structures and historical events that have limited or harmed the AANHPI and other historically marginalized communities, and the solidarity between AANHPIs and other historically marginalized communities, especially as it pertains to the Civil Rights Movement.

State Senator John C. Liu, sponsor of S5963, stated, “This legislation is vital for both supporting the identity formation of our students and combating the resurgence of anti-Asian violence. While our Asian American communities have always been an integral part of our nation, for too long, our history and experiences have been excluded from the curriculum in our schools. The reality is Asian Americans are a part of the fabric of this nation, and Asian American history is American history. Teaching Asian American history will make sure that our students are afforded the opportunity to learn a more inclusive history. With the passage of the state budget this week, including a record $30 million for AAPI community-based organizations, our combined advocacy is stronger than ever, and I thank the REACH Coalition and all the students, families, and educators who are working to make sure our voices are heard, our histories are learned, and our experiences are understood."

"We are thrilled to see S5963/A6579 reintroduced in the New York State Legislature by Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee," said the members of the REACH Coalition Steering Committee in a joint statement. "This bill is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive curriculum and towards ensuring that the contributions of AANHPI communities are taught and recognized."

Despite being one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the United States, AANHPI communities have been underrepresented in the social studies curriculum for far too long. By integrating AANHPI history and contributions into the curriculum, New York State can take an important step towards recognizing the diversity and richness of its population.

“When AAPI history is not recognized in our education system we invite the type of ignorance that has led to the frightening increase in hate and violence that AAPI communities have experienced in New York,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee. “Our stories deserve to be heard, and this bill will ensure that Asian American history and civil impact are taught in our public schools. I thank Senator John Liu for his leadership in the Senate and to the REACH Coalition for their continued efforts to ensure AAPI voices are heard and recognized for what they are - a part of American history.”

The REACH Coalition believes that an inclusive and diverse curriculum is essential for the success of all students, regardless of background. By learning about the experiences and histories of all communities, students can gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and build empathy and respect for others.

“It is really powerful to have Assemblymember Grace Lee, the first Korean American woman elected to New York State government, re-introduce this bill in the Assembly advocating for AANHPI history and have it be her first bill ever. We commend the lawmakers who have reintroduced this bill and urge their colleagues to support it," said the REACH Coalition Steering Committee. "We look forward to working with them to ensure that AANHPI history is included in the curriculum and that our students receive a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of American history."

REACH Coalition will be hosting an Advocacy Day with students, educators, and advocates to celebrate AANHPI history and heritage in Albany on May 22nd that is open for participation to all supporters of AANHPI history on May 22. As part of this day of advocacy, REACH will host a press briefing alongside Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee’s office, participate in the Asian American Pacific Heritage Month celebration hosted by the Asian Pacific American Task Force, and host meetings with elected leaders to discuss AANHPI History. To join us for our upcoming Advocacy Day and/or to join the REACH Coalition, please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/JOINREACH. 

“Learning AANHPI history will help with student identity development which will improve mental health, create a more welcoming environment, combat the model minority myth, and address racially-charged bullying,” said Kulsoom Tapal, Education Policy Coordinator at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families. “Including AANHPI history will help build solidarity between historically marginalized communities and is essential to combatting the resurgence of anti-Asian violence. We look forward to working with the REACH Coalition and our elected leaders to advance this effort.”

"On the behalf of the New York chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans - Asian Pacific American Advocates (OCA-NY), I applaud Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee for introducing S5963/A6579 - which gives current and future generations of students a real chance to learn the history of accomplishments and struggles of AANHPIs throughout the history of the United States”, said Brianna Cea, President of OCA-NY. “As the Co-leader of the REACH Coalition and a proud Thai-Korean-Chinese New Yorker who grew up in public schools across the state, I look forward to working with Assemblymember Lee and Senator Liu to ensure that our students are taught the robust and rich history of our diverse communities that I wish I received as a student." 

“All students deserve to see themselves in the education they receive,” said Kenny Nguyen, Director of Youth Programs at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU). “As the son of Vietnamese refugees, I never felt represented in my school’s curriculum. This bill, advocated by the REACH Coalition, will finally give all students critical lessons on the history of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities and their civic impact — and help empower the next generation through inclusivity and belonging.”

"Nationally, 67% of turbaned Sikh children reported being bullied – a rate twice the national average," said Nikki Singh, Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Sikh Coalition. "According to Sikh students who experience bullying, ignorance breeds animosity--and one of the best ways to keep our children safe is to educate their teachers and classmates about the Sikh tradition in an accurate and constitutionally appropriate way. We're grateful to our REACH Coalition partners and to Assemblymember Lee and Senator Liu for their work on this critical legislation that will reduce ignorance that leads to bullying."

"I never learned about the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders in my history classes, and it made me feel like my culture and identity didn't matter,” said Hudson Chou, current high school student and Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) Youth Leader. ”It's important for students like me to see themselves represented in the curriculum so that we feel seen and valued in our education."

"As a son of Vietnamese refugees, I support the AANHPI curriculum bill because the experiences of Southeast Asian Immigrant communities should be highlighted in the classroom," said Jonathan Lam, Student Leader at NYCLU Teen Activist Project. "Our family stories are rarely amplified and our culture is not recognized within the classroom. Being a youth leader through the Teen Activist Project, I am excited to push AANHPI Bill and organize for a more inclusive classroom throughout New York state!” 

"Incorporating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history and culture into the curriculum of New York State's schools is crucial for promoting inclusivity and understanding,” said Farrah Mozawalla, CEO and Founder of the Asian American Institute for Research and Engagement (AAIRE). “By including the perspectives and experiences of AAPI individuals, students can learn about the contributions of this important group in American history and combat stereotypes. This will help build a more diverse and empathetic society, and a better understanding of the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and identity.” 

"As proud members of the REACH Coalition, we are excited to see the introduction of S5963/A6579 by Senator Liu and Assemblymember Lee,” said Wayne Ho, President and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC). “We look forward to working with our legislative champions and coalition partners to fight for inclusive and accurate representation of AANHPI history in New York State’s social studies curriculum."

“Asian American Arts Alliance supports this bill, which aligns with the vision of A4's founders including the late photographer Corky Lee, whose lifelong activism was driven by a desire to correct the erasure of AAPIs from history and Chinese American laborers from the transcontinental railroad in particular,” said Lisa Gold, Executive Director of Asian American Arts Alliance (A4).

"As someone who had Asian American studies in my high school curriculum, I know firsthand the importance and impact of bills like S5963/A6579 -- its reach goes beyond the classroom, said Angela Li, Civic Engagement Coordinator for Immigrant Social Services, Inc. (ISS). “Know history, know self. Reading books like Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior and learning about Angel Island made me feel seen and inspired me to major in Asian American Studies and now also pursue a master's in ethnic studies and work on education policy."

 "Despite growing up in a predominantly AAPI community in NYC, what I was taught in history seldom reflected the stories of the people around me; my friends, my family, my neighbors,” said Shannon Lee, writer and editor. “By providing a curriculum that includes these crucial, extraordinary legacies, we are telling future generations that they matter. We are passing on threads that will continue to build the fabric of this city and this country so that the next generation doesn't have to feel as if they are just a single wayward strand."  

“Our communities deserve to have their histories and lived experiences reflected back at them and taught in our schools," said Sophia Armen, Co-Director of the Armenian-American Action Network. “We bring rich, diverse, and abundant stories as communities and American history and studies are incomplete without us. We must no longer be marginalized in curricula.” 

“We firmly support this bill and its impact on building identity and empathy for our AANHPI youth growing up in America," said Liz Policarpio Chang on behalf of the AAPI Youth Theater. “Learning about our significant role in American history will deepen a sense of belonging in pursuing performing arts.”

“I believe the AANHPI Curriculum will benefit many Asian and non-Asian youth in New York and create solidarity amongst the youth in New York," said Karen Kong, current high student and Youth Leader with CACF's Asian American Student Advocacy Project. 

“As a non-for-profit organization especially serving Asian American families with children and youth of developmental disabilities, we applaud Senator Liu and Assembly Lee's efforts to put AANHPI history into the school curriculum,” said Bin Feng, Co-Founder of Project Ready. “Project Ready Inc. is proud to advocate for people and families from the IDD community and we also call for elaborating more stories about disabilities advocates from AANHPI history. We need everyone to know Asian Americans are not only good citizens of this country, we also have our trailer blazers in civil and disability rights movement.”

“Education is a critical tool for combating misinformation and structural racism. The last three years have been difficult for Asian Americans, who were under attack even while we demonstrated how essential we are, whether as service workers, health care workers, or other countless roles. The next generation of Asian Americans should have the opportunity to learn about the many diverse contributions that people who look like them have made to this country. And all Americans should know this history — because Asian American history is American history. We thank Assembly Member Grace Lee and Senator John Liu for leading on this critical legislation,” said Margaret Fung, Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF).

“Filipinos hold a deep history in the United States, yet Filipino American History is lost in Eurocentric History Books. Our stories, our voices, and our people for too long, have been forgotten, displaced, and obscured from the masses, said Rachelle Ocampo, President of NaFFAA-NY. “We must create an inclusive and culturally responsive curriculum that centers the truth and legacy of Filipino Americans. We advocate to ensure that our children and their children can read, learn, and understand about the struggles, resilience, and strength of not just Filipino Americans, but the Asian American Diaspora.”

The Westchester and Hudson Valley chapter of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates strongly supports legislation which would bring the history and literature of Americans of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage to the students and families of New York," said Jeanhee Chung, Board Member OCA-WHV. "We feel that Bills S5963/A6579 reintroduced in the New York State Legislature by Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Grace Lee, would be a step in the right direction. It is time to end the "permanent outsider" status that we suffer, despite our contributions and deep history in this country. AANHPIs have a rightful place in the pantheon of heroes and allies taught to every student in New York. 

The REACH Coalition is a group of over 170 community leaders, parents, students, educators, and 50+ organizations that advocate for inclusive and diverse curricula that recognize the histories, experiences, and contributions of AANHPI communities in the United States. Get updates straight from the Coalition by following @reach_coalition on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

For press interested in being connected to the REACH Coalition, please email Winnie Kong, CACF’s Communications Associate, at wkong@cacf.org.