Trenton, NJ - Schools in New Jersey will now be required to include curricula about the history and contributions of Asian Americans.
Phil Murphy signed two pieces of legislation Tuesday that will ensure that the contributions, history, and heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are taught to students in kindergarten through 12th grade in the New Jersey Student Study Standards. included in social studies.
S4021 will create an AAPI curriculum requirement for schools and S3764 will establish the Asian American Heritage Commission within the Department of Education.
"Our Asian American/Pacific Islander members have contributed greatly to our state and nation," said Governor Murphy. “By teaching students about the history and heritage of our AAPI community, we can ensure that our state’s diversity is reflected in our curriculum and create a more tolerant and knowledgeable future for New Jersey. Proud to sign it into law."
Asian American advocates, parents and students are celebrating the law as a concrete way to curb anti-Asian hatred and support the mental health of Asian American children.
Dr. Kani Elangovan, an attorney and founder of Make Us Visible NJ, helped lead the effort.
"The Asian American community of New Jersey commends Governor Murphy and the Legislature for their bold and timely leadership in incorporating the Asian American experience as part of our public school curriculum," said Dr. Elangovan.
“All children deserve to know that they belong. All children deserve to feel safe. This law will help ensure Asian Americans are represented in our Great American Story,” she said.
Last November, Murphy created the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission within the State Department to develop policies that address the social and economic needs of growing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
New Jersey became the second state to mandate an AAPI curriculum, following a surge in anti-Asian violence last year.
“According to the latest Stop AAPI Hate report, 1 in 3 AAPI parents said their child experienced an incident of hate at school in the past year. With anti-Asian violence on the rise, education is the best form of hate. There is an antidote,” Ilangovan said.
Senators Vin Gopal (D - District 11) and Assembly Members Raj Mukherjee (D - District 33) and Sadaf Jafar (D - District 16), testified in support of the bill before a state Senate committee at the State House in Trenton.
Jaffer, who is also a lecturer in South Asian Studies at Princeton University, said, "In my class, I teach students that the American dream is an aspiration. For Asian Americans, it is difficult to aspire to the American dream when our stories are lost. Knowledge is a powerful tool to repair our social fabric, and I am proud of New Jersey for taking this important step to build a stronger and more inclusive future."
Ridgewood High School senior Christina Huang was among the group of students who testified before the committee in November, and spoke about their own experiences dealing with prejudice and hate crimes.
"Not seeing Asian Americans in our curriculum sends a message. It sends a message to me: I'm invisible. That I don't care. Asian Americans are contributing like other communities we learn about in school. Asian World War II vets who fought under the 442nd regiment, and Olympians like Chloe Kim. I hope this law will not only open people's minds but people's hearts as well."
The AAPI community is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in New Jersey. According to the latest Census Bureau information, over 11% of the population is Asian, either alone or in combination. Middlesex County has the largest Asian population in the state, with 27.6% or 237,945 people.
Assemblyman Sterley Stanley (D - District 18) is the first person of South Asian descent from Middlesex County to join the New Jersey General Assembly and sponsor S3764.
"The Asian American and Pacific Islander community has enriched every corner of New Jersey's culture, economy, schools, arts, businesses, and more," Stanley said. "The programs developed under this bill will make students understand that the diversity of our state is our strength."
“Representation matters. This bill will ensure that people of Asian descent are included in our students’ curriculum, potentially bringing Asian history in depth to some classrooms for the first time,” said Assemblyman Rob Karabinchak (D – District 18) said of S3764. "There has never been a more momentous moment for us to broaden children's understanding of the world around them and to promote inclusivity and respect."