Asian American Trailblazers in Civil Rights

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm PT 
Alice Fong Yu Alternative School
Multipurpose Room
1541 12th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94122

About the Workshop

By 2025, a majority of states will have requirements in place for Asian American and Pacific Islander studies to be taught in schools. This multifaceted event will highlight Asian American pioneers and the pivotal court cases that have changed the landscape of U.S. civil rights, including the U.S. Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898) that established the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship. The 125th anniversary of this landmark case is on March 28, 2023.

The 1990 Institute and the Alice Fong Yu Alternative School invite middle and high school teachers to learn more about the Asian Americans who fought for civil rights that benefited all who call America home. This in person event will feature prominent Asian American Studies luminaries who fought to include Ethnic Studies and AAPI studies in our schools. It will also present multimedia resources and highlight ways to incorporate them into classroom learning and provide an opportunity for teachers to share the experiences and challenges of teaching AAPI history in the classrooms.

Speakers

Laureen Chew is a professor emerita in the Asian American Studies Department at San Francisco State University (SFSU). She was a part of the Third World Liberation Front and helped organized the strikers in 1968, which eventually led to the establishment of the College of Ethnic Studies at SFSU. Professor Chew is a former elementary school teacher and advocated for the bilingual programs in San Francisco Unified School District. She has appeared in many Asian American documentaries including PBS's "Asian Americans." Her film credits as an actress include "Chan is Missing," "Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart" and "Dim Sum Take-Out."

Russell Jeung has been a professor of Asian American Studies in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University since 2002. His research interests include the Sociology of Race, the Sociology of Religion, and Social Movements. Dr. Jeung is also the co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition against anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander racism. He was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2021 for his work on raising attention for the fight against AAPI hate.

David Lei worked in Chinatown as a social worker for at-risk youth before starting his business in 1981. In 2003, David sold his exporting business, retiring to indulge his passions for community-building, youth education, and the arts. He is an active participant with several nonprofit organizations including the Chinese Performing Arts Foundation, the Asian Art Museum, the Chinese American Community Fund, Chung Ngai Dance Troupe, Academy of Chinese Performing Arts, World Arts West – San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the Bancroft Library, and the Center for Asian American Media. David Lei is a San Franciscan who graduated from San Francisco public schools and UC Berkeley.