The Fight for Asian American Studies in Schools: A Conversation with Freda Lin

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In this episode of the Teachers Forum, host David Harris speaks with Freda Lin, co-director of the YURI Education Project, about her journey from a conflicted racial identity in a homogenous suburb to becoming an activist for Asian American studies in education. Frieda shares her experiences at Northwestern University, where she fought for the establishment of Asian American studies, and discusses the importance of integrating marginalized histories into school curriculums. She also talks about founding the YURI Education Project to help educators teach Asian American history and the challenges they face in doing so. In this conversation, Freda Lin discusses the importance of integrating Asian American history into education, emphasizing the need to go beyond mere representation. She addresses the challenges educators face in the current political climate, the significance of building multiracial coalitions, and the complexities of Asian American identity. Freda also highlights the importance of connecting historical exclusionary policies to contemporary issues, finding hope in activism, and providing resources for educators to better teach these narratives.

To Contact Freda Lin you can reach her at [e-mail]

Resources on Asian American History:

Asian American Histories of the United States by Catherine Ceniza Choy

The Making of Asian America by Erika Lee

Asian Americans PBS Documentary

Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans by Ronald Takaki

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• [e-mail]
• @theteachersforum.bsky.social
• X (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993

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