Dear America, Why Was Vincent Chin Killed? Exploration of a First-Grade Classroom's Interpretation of Racial Injustice

• In Event: Moving Critical Asian American Studies Into the Forefront of K–12 Education

Abstract

Dear America, Why Was Vincent Chin Killed? This powerful first-grade lesson plan on the life of Vincent Chin and the exhibit of letters created on American flags by twenty 6 years-old children speaks to the importance of developing critical Asian American studies in K-12 education. Students worked on the biography of Vincent Chin, documented the civil rights and legal outcome of his case, and shared their personal reflections on the kind of country they want to live in by utilizing literacy and art. Critical Asian American studies curriculum challenges the omission of Asian Americans in curriculum and it exemplifies the importance of the co-construction of knowledge between a teacher and her students on racial injustice in and out of school.

Author

• Judy W. Yu, Queens College - CUNY