UCLA’s Online Textbook Highlights Asian American and Pacific Islander Histories and Cultures
Educational Resource Highlights AAPI Experiences Amidst Ongoing Stereotypes
A new free digital textbook from the UCLA Asian American Studies Center aims to reshape the narrative around Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in American history. Titled Foundations and Futures: Asian American and Pacific Islander Multimedia Textbook, this resource seeks to counter age-old stereotypes, such as the "model minority" and "perpetual foreigner," by educating younger generations about the complex realities of AAPI communities.
This comprehensive textbook, the product of extensive collaboration among over 100 contributors—including curriculum developers and illustrators—offers educators a high-quality tool to teach about AAPI experiences effectively. “Our presence, our practices, our cultural rituals and things like that are not deemed as ‘American,’” said Karen Umemoto, a co-editor and director of the Center. “The actual putting together of this textbook also became our fight for inclusion and represents our right to be seen, our right to speak.”
The textbook encompasses a diverse range of AAPI communities and their struggles, with plans for additional chapters to be added continuously. Although May is designated as AAPI Heritage Month, the resource aims to maintain a year-round focus on these vital narratives.
Co-editor Kelly Fong expressed optimism about the textbook’s potential impact. “Young people are going to have so many different opportunities to see themselves and their communities represented in this core text. Now I can’t wait,” she stated.
Despite prevailing political challenges, particularly those surrounding diversity initiatives in education, the project team remains dedicated. They acknowledge that some educators may be hesitant to adopt the textbook in light of current anti-diversity sentiments.
Addressing Rising Anti-Asian Sentiment
The need for such a textbook has been underscored by a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fong noted that “COVID was really one of the things that shaped the textbook the way that it did,” emphasizing education as a crucial tool in combating racism.
The creation of the textbook aligns with a 2021 California law that made ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement. By 2022, the Center secured federal and state funding to support this project.
As concerns about racial discrimination persist among AAPI adults, Umemoto hopes that sharing individual immigrant stories will foster “historical empathy.”
Highlighting Diverse Voices and Stories
The textbook aims to embrace a wide range of AAPI histories that extend beyond the typical narratives surrounding Japanese internment and Chinese laborers. The editorial team refined 150 potential chapter topics down to 50, including discussions on the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, the experiences of Vietnamese and Hmong communities, and Indigenous Hawaiians. Unique multimedia elements, such as archival photos and a video narrated by rapper Ruby Ibarra, enhance its educational value.
Melany De La Cruz-Viesca, the Center’s deputy director, noted, “We were trying to be as inclusive as possible.” The book also highlights individual stories of women, such as Cornelia Delute, a Filipino supporter of the United Farm Workers, and Mamie Tape, a Chinese American girl whose efforts to enroll in public school led to a California Supreme Court ruling.
In a notable contribution, Gwendolyn “Wendy” Mink provided insights about her mother, Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color and Asian American woman elected to Congress. “I’m just glad that the whole project exists,” Mink reflected, acknowledging the diminishing voices from her mother’s generation.
Contextualizing AAPI History in a Shifting Political Landscape
The initial proposal for the textbook emerged amid a rapidly changing political climate. Republican leaders have criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, arguing that such programs discriminate against Asian and white students. This perspective has been echoed by some Asian American advocates, and the Trump administration once aimed to withhold funding from schools incorporating race into their admissions policies.
In various states, the establishment of hotlines for reporting DEI practices has heightened scrutiny, causing some schools to hesitate in adopting AAPI studies. “It’s changed for the teachers who we were hoping would use the textbook,” Fong said. “We have tried to figure out how to respond to best support them.”
The extent to which AAPI history is integrated into educational curricula varies by region, with lobbying from large AAPI populations driving progress in some states. According to Tina Ellsworth, president of the National Council for the Social Studies, while textbooks have become more culturally relevant, this multimedia textbook serves as a critical resource for teachers seeking diverse content.
“The textbook will come in very handy,” Ellsworth remarked, noting its accessibility and association with a reputable academic institution.
To further enhance the textbook, its authors are seeking an additional $5 million in private donations for expansion and marketing. Future sections may explore the histories of Tongan Americans and Taiwanese Americans. “There are so many fascinating stories that have yet to be shared with the world,” Umemoto concluded.
