OVER 300 years ago, white Europeans sailed west to America, carving enclaves of civilization into the untamed wilderness. Over 200 hundred years ago, our nation's white Founders established a rational government based upon the innate equality of human beings. Over 100 years ago, white Americans fulfilled their manifest destiny to conquer and connect the entire continent, from sea to shining sea. Over 50 years ago, white Americans made peace with black Americans, securing equal rights for all citizens. Thus, we have the entire history of America, as learned by grade school students across the country.
Yet this version of history omits the essential contributions of racial minorities to the development of America, leaving grade school students with a warped understanding of their own national story. Fortunately, most colleges offer African-American Studies classes, which fill in some gaps. But what of the history of Asian-American contributions, however? Few people learn that, over 300 years ago, Asians sailed east, relocating to America due to Spanish colonialism. That, over 200 years ago, our nation's white Founders believed that their rational government should remain racially homogenous. That, over 100 years ago, 10,000 Chinese immigrants built the transcontinental railroad, were paid less than their white co-workers and were prohibited from riding home on the railroad they built. That, over 50 years ago, pan-ethnic coalitions of Asian Americans united with African Americans, Latin Americans and women to bring about the changes of the civil rights movement.
Omitting the experiences of any racial minority from American history is like cooking without essential ingredients. Without learning about Asian-American experiences, one can never understand American history and politics. However, the University of Virginia currently offers no Asian-American Studies program. Until the University rectifies this situation, we students will continue to believe the one-sided stories of our grade school history classes.
Of course, in addition to its inherent educational value, an Asian-American Studies program would benefit the University in other ways. According to "Analyzing the Impact of Asian-American Studies in the Curriculum," a survey conducted by the Diversity Research Initiative at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, the school's Asian-American Studies program greatly impacted the entire student population. The study states that Asian-American Studies courses increased social awareness, expedited identity formation and defeated racial stereotypes. The survey also concluded that Asian-American Studies classes benefited all racial groups, not simply Asian Americans. Therefore, given all the concern about the racial climate at the University of Virginia, the establishment of an Asian-American Studies program seems like an obvious step to take.
Furthermore, the University of Virginia appears woefully behind peer institutions, as far as Asian-American Studies are concerned. Naturally, California's schools sport successful Asian-American Studies programs. Many people are astonished to learn, however, about the successful Asian-American Studies programs along the East Coast and even throughout the mid-East. The University of Wisconsin, for example, offers Asian-American Studies, even though Asian Americans comprise only 2 percent of that school's student population.
Finally, the University of Virginia's own students regularly demonstrate their interest in Asian-American Studies courses. U.Va.'s Asian Student Union has advocated for the creation of an Asian-American Studies program since 1995. In 2001, over 400 students, faculty, administrators and alumni, signed a petition requesting the creation of an Asian-American Studies program. Every semester, students pack the few Asian-American Studies classes offered by the College. This University, which purportedly values student self-government, will benefit from establishing an Asian-American Studies program, by providing countless students with opportunities to pursue their area of interest.
In sum, the University of Virginia should establish an Asian-American Studies program as soon as possible. This program will improve the University's racial climate, the University's stature compared to peer institutions and the lives of the many students interested in Asian-American Studies. Most importantly, Asian-American Studies are essential to a complete understanding of American history and politics. The program's intrinsic educational value alone justifies its establishment.
Todd Aman is president of the Asian Student Union. He is a fourth year in the College.
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