Wisconsin has recently passed a new law that mandates K-12 public schools to include the teaching of Asian American and Hmong history. This requirement was established through a bill signed by the state’s governor on Thursday.
“The Hmong and Asian American communities play a vital role in the rich tapestry of our state’s heritage, traditions, economy, and prospects,” emphasized Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, in an official statement. He underscored the significance of commemorating our collective past and paying tribute to the individuals who have contributed to Wisconsin’s current identity.”
Wisconsin has recently taken a significant step towards promoting diversity and inclusivity in its curriculum. In addition to the existing instruction of Black, Native American, and Latino American history, the state has now officially included Asian American history as a mandatory subject. This move is particularly significant for Wisconsin, given its substantial Hmong population, and therefore, the curriculum will also cover the rich history of the Hmong community. This new legislation firmly establishes the importance of learning about the experiences and contributions of various ethnic groups in shaping the state’s heritage.
Governor Evers signed the bill at an elementary school in Wausau, a Wisconsin town that has a significant Hmong population. In this town, Hmong residents make up 12% of the population, and Asian American students account for 29.7% of the school’s student body.
State Representative Francesca Hong, one of the lawmakers who introduced the bill in the Assembly, expressed the significance of including Asian American stories in our history. She emphasized that it provides a sense of safety for students who may not have seen themselves represented in textbooks. Moreover, sharing these stories fosters understanding among students, teachers, and administrators. In an interview with NBC News in February, Rep. Hong emphasized the importance of this legislation.
Mandates similar to this have also been passed in Florida, New Jersey, and Illinois. While Asian Americans only account for 3% of the population in Wisconsin, their numbers have grown significantly by 82% since 2000. Among the various Asian American groups in the state, Hmongs are the largest, making up 29% of the population.
Hong expressed that the endeavor to gain recognition for Asian and Hmong Americans in the education system has been ongoing for many decades. Previous attempts to pass similar bills had not been successful. However, due to the recent surge in racism against Asian Americans during the pandemic, there is now a heightened awareness and interest in addressing these issues.
Hong, who is the sole Asian American legislator in the Legislature, capitalized on the rise in anti-Asian hate amidst the Covid pandemic. Moreover, Hong’s colleagues acknowledged the significance of the Hmong and Lao community in their districts and recognized their influence as a powerful voting bloc. Hong emphasized the impact of being the first and only Asian American legislator, leveraging these factors to drive positive change.
According to Kabby Hong, an English teacher from Wisconsin, she encounters this lack of knowledge in real-time situations.
In February, a teacher in Wisconsin shared her experience of introducing the word “Hmong” to her students. Surprisingly, most of her students had no prior knowledge or understanding of Hmong people, their culture, or their identity. This lack of awareness was concerning, especially considering that Wisconsin is home to the third largest Hmong population in the country. It highlighted the need for education and awareness about different cultures among students, as many of their teachers, counselors, and classmates could be Hmong.
According to the news release, Evers has also approved several other bills that recognize the importance of the Hmong community in Wisconsin. One of these bills designated May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in the state.
Governor Evers expressed his pride in signing various bipartisan laws that acknowledge the significant contributions made by Hmong and Asian American individuals to both the state and the nation. This new bill further builds upon those efforts by ensuring that the histories and stories of Hmong and Asian American communities are integrated into the state curriculum for future generations.
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