New Illinois legislation would require Asian American studies in public schools

“What we learn by teaching Asian American history is that our history is American history,” Illinois Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz told ABC News.

Anti-Asian hate incidents continue to rise across the country, one legislator seeks to combat racism with a new law requiring Asian American studies in public schools Illinois state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz said she wants to fight "ignorance" with the Teaching Equitable Asian-American History Act (TEAACH). The legislation would mandate curriculums on the social, political and economic contributions of Asian Americans in the U.S. starting in the 2022-2023 school year. If it passes, it will be the first law of its kind in the nation. "What we learn by teaching Asian American history is that our history is American history," Gong-Gershowitz told ABC News. "While the Asian American experience has been one of both accomplishments and contributions, there is also a long history of racialized violence and exclusion." Gong-Gershowitz, a third-generation Chinese American, said that it is more important "now than ever to elevate Asian American stories and experiences so that people understand who we are."