As members of the New York community, we need to recognize the rich contributions of the Cantonese/Toisan community to our nation’s history. Cantonese/Toisan aka Taishan forefathers played a crucial role in constructing the U.S. Transcontinental railroads - a historical achievement that was vital to the development of the United States.  Alongside this, members of our Cantonese/Toisan community have served with pride and honor in the U.S. military, contributing significantly to our national defense.

Today, however, many Cantonese children are unable to communicate effectively in their native tongue, since it is not part of the curriculum in our educational institutions.  PS 184 Shuang Wen Public School, like many others public schools, offers Mandarin but fails to acknowledge the cultural significance of Cantonese/Toisan.  Mandarin and Cantonese, while both Chinese languages, are linguistically and culturally unique.  It has been estimated that there are over 80 million native Cantonese speakers worldwide, a substantial number being part of our diverse NYC community.

In acknowledging our multicultural society, we need to provide our children with learning opportunities that not only enhance their linguistic skills but also help them to understand and appreciate their cultural heritage. Therefore, we request the inclusion and introduction of Cantonese language classes at public schools and as well asPS 184 Shuang Wen Public School. 

By doing so, we can empower our children to connect with our shared history while preparing them for a multicultural world, fostering mutual respect and understanding within our community. Please sign this petition and stand with us to promote cultural diversity and language equity in our school system.