A bill for all cultural and ethnic groups

Last year, MUV launched a movement to include Asian American history in schools through its Delaware chapter, co-founded by Devin Jiang, advocating for educational changes with community stakeholders and lawmakers in the state.

Last month, state lawmakers gave unanimous approval to SB 297, a bill that mandates cultural history to be taught in all Delaware schools.

“We wanted to bridge the understanding gap because we have seen a rise in anti-Asian hate harassment and bullying in recent years,” Jiang said. “SB 297 served as a preventive measure and solution to guard against racist rhetoric and violence.”

During its journey through Legislative Hall, the bill grew into something bigger and better, Jian said, so “students can feel visible and see himself in their textbooks.”

“The important thing about SB297 is that our advocacy for it started out as requiring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history to be taught in schools, but it eventually evolved to encompass all racial, ethnic and cultural groups,” he said. “It’s inclusive history legislation that requires the history of racial, ethnic and cultural groups to be integrated into Delaware’s K-12 School curriculum.”

With the bill still awaiting Gov. John Carney’s signature, its implementation process may be lengthy. The state Dept. of Education will now write the curriculum requirements. Advocates hope to offer public feedback before those standards are finalized.

Jiang said there are some key points he would like to see implemented.

“Normalize our stories and uplift the lives of Americans whose histories are untold. Showing portrayals of Asian Americans that are weaving the fabric of America, to show everyone that they’ve been keeping the country together, freeing the slaves in the Civil War, fighting to protect the country in World War I, marching for women’s rights and civil rights and so much more,” he explained.

Moving forward, MUV will continue to advocate for the immigrant community and participate in educational policy decisions made by the state and the DOE.