Asian Americans And the Fight for Educational Rights (2 of 6)

Our early history in education was one of total exclusion. The first Asian immigrants were not even allowed to attend public schools. When the early Chinese protested, they were finally allowed to attend "separate but equal" schools just like the discriminatory treatment of Blacks in the South.

It was not until the 1950s that Asian Americans began to be more integrated into the public school system, but then only to be treated to a distorted and racist curriculum. We were never taught the real history of Blacks, Chicanos or working people in the schools. It was unheard of to be able to study Asian history or languages, and when courses were presented, they were usually limited and one]sided. Many of us remember not even knowing a map because the socialist revolution in China was considered unmentionable in public school curriculum.

During the same period, Chinese children were punished for speaking their native tongue, just like Chicano children in the Southwest were punished for speaking Spanish. Although we had a legacy of one hundred years in this country, our history had been written off as unimportant and our contributions were hidden to prevent a questioning of the racism and discrimination practiced against our people.

It took the massive uprisings in the communities of the late 1960s and early 70s to win substantial gains in educational rights. During that period, Asian Americans joined with Blacks, Chicanos, Puerto Ricans and other minorities in standing up for equal rights and political power and in calling for revolutionary change of the existing political system. Part of the struggle for revolutionary change was to challenge the racist educational system and its lack of relevance and accountability to minority peoples. For the Asian American communities there were many issues and demands. Parents stood up to oppose forced busing, defend community schools and win greater control over decision]making. In San Francisco Chinatown, parents held a 90% effective boycott, protesting a busing program which would have sent elementary school children on 45]minute bus rides to schools no better than those in the community. In high schools across the country, students, for the first time, formed Asian Clubs, and fought for Asian American courses, funding for cultural programs and the right to take a holiday on Asian Lunar New Year.

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