To Prince William County School Board,

Two years have passed since the beginning of COVID 19 pandemic as well as the surge of anti-Asian violence.  This violence has been a part of America’s history since its very beginning. So too, have been the triumphs, successes, and hard work of the Asian Americans Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community. 

We are your neighbors, front-line workers, doctors, teachers, coaches, and public servants. While Asian Americans Pacific Islanders have been building this country’s railroads, feeding its people, caring for patients, dry-cleaning suits, beatifying nails and creating some of its most innovative technology, much of America has turned a blind eye to this work and the people who are doing it. We are invisible and silent with minor feelings. We are the ones with whom you avoid eye contacts in the hallway. We are the ones whose facial features look exactly the same to you as brothers, sisters, and cousins. We are the ones who only become visible when certain numbers need to be cut. The ultimate culmination of this country-wide apathy has come in the form of erasure and violence. This violence must stop in a society of humanity to all.  

America's history is rich and diverse, yet the contributions of Asian Americans Pacific Islanders to American history are taught incompletely, if at all, throughout our county’s schools. We need to address this problem by ensuring that a unit of Asian Americans Pacific Islanders history is taught at least once during elementary, middle and high school.

A more complete curriculum that treats Asian American history as an integral part of our state’s and our nation’s history is needed to combat the surging racism, anti-Asian hate, and violence against Asian Americans Pacific Islanders. This includes events in Asian Americans Pacific Islanders history, the accomplishments and challenges of AAPI community, the roles of AAPI communities in the advancement of civil rights from the 18th century and onward, and the contribution of AAPI community towards the economic, social, political, and cultural development of the United States.

Providing opportunities and access for all students to learn about AAPI history will cultivate a sense of belonging within AAPI students and a great sense of empathy among Non-AAPI students. Learning about the injustices the AAPI community has faced as well as the significant contributions made by AAPI community ultimately will encourage all students to embrace the fact that AAPI is an integral part of our society. 

By signing this pledge, I call on my school board to add a unit of Asian American history at least once during elementary, middle, and high school; to compile teaching resources and materials for teachers to draw upon; to plan and implement diversity/equity training that addresses anti-Asian hate for all members of the PWCS community;  to review PWCS staffing and committee representation to ensure that the AAPI perspective is included in the classroom and all decision-making by system leadership. I also commit to educate myself about the struggles and triumphs of AAPI individuals and celebrate AAPI voices in my community and workplace.