South Asian Students for Justice (SASJ) is a Westchester-based youth organization dedicated to changing narratives about the South Asian community and empowering and uniting South Asian students.

This initiative is also co-led by Kaya Sasaki who is a current rising senior at Scarsdale High School and very active in the AAPI community.

As our community's population continues to grow, many students and parents alike have expressed concern with our representation in our classrooms. This year was the first year Scarsdale has recognized and accommodated for the holidays of Diwali, Eid, and Lunar New Year, but we believe that Scarsdale's strides toward diversity, equity, and inclusion shouldn’t simply stop at the calendar. Rather, we should look to see where improvements can be made in every aspect of this school to make everyone feel welcome.

This is something we have felt the need to address due to the level of misunderstanding many students have about AAPI history as well as the sentiments of some AAPI students who feel that they don’t belong due to how little their history is talked about. A lack of representation not only marginalizes the experiences of many in history, but also deprives all students of a fuller understanding of our collective history. 
If we consider the current state of our curriculum: How many of our students have learned about the contributions of AAPI individuals in the United States and the world beyond a brief mention of the Chinese Exclusion Act or Japanese American internment? These are important events, but they are not the totality of AAPI experiences. For instance, the Supreme Court case Tape v. Hurley, which predated Brown v. Board of Education, was a pivotal moment in the fight for educational equality and yet remains largely untaught. Such omissions contribute to the perpetuation of the "model minority" myth and ignore the varied and rich histories of Southeast Asian, South Asian, East Asian, and Pacific Islander communities.

To address this gap, we understand the school cannot simply change the entire curriculum. However, we want to create conversation around this topic and urge the Board to consider either launching a pilot program at Scarsdale High School that integrates AAPI perspectives through something like an elective, or pushing teachers to include lessons on more diverse topics. This could begin with the introduction of literature by AAPI authors in English classes, alongside works from other minority groups. In history classes, we should include a broader range of topics, such as the contributions of AAPI individuals in the Civil Rights Movement and other significant historical events. 

Finally, including AAPI histories and experiences is not just about adding content; it is about recognizing the full scope of our nation's story and the stories of many around the world, and ensuring that every student sees themselves reflected in what they learn. By doing so, we take a crucial step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable educational environment for all.

If you also feel strongly about our cause, please sign our petition! Additionally, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us!

Email - southasianstudentsforjustice@gmail.com, kayansasaki@gmail.com

Instagram - @southasianstudentsforjustice