The Localized History Project, AAARI@CUNY (Poster 26)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Thursday 3:35 p.m.
  In Poster Session: Research Engagement and Development with Youth (READY) Program

Abstract

The Localized History Project, housed at the Asian American/Asian Research Institute@CUNY, is a New York State funded youth participatory action research project investigating the extent to which AANHPI history is taught in K-12 history classrooms in NY State, and presenting youth-driven curriculum alternatives to test-driven curricula. Our project seeks to challenge dominant colonial narratives in history, and we are building a counter archive of localized testimonies and oral histories that center working class, resistance, and solidarity-oriented stories. Our research operates at two levels of intervention. Firstly, our Youth Action Boards (YABs) work to build a community-driven archive of localized history. Secondly, our Youth Research Team produces mixed-methods surveys and assessment tools to evaluate the inclusion of AANHPI history in NY State and the experiences of AANHPI youth in schools. Preliminary findings suggest that students feel ignored and marginalized within regents-driven curriculum. Students feel as though important, identity-developing, and enriching American history is omitted. Informed from this data, we are constructing a community-driven archive that we hope to implement into schools, which will uplift a more truthful and complete history of AANHPI communities in NY State.

Authors

• Shreya Sunderram, Graduate Center - CUNY

• Ravi Vora, Scarsdale High School

• Cyrus Mahak, Scarsdale High School

• Amy Feng, Horace Greeley High School

• Violet Kim, Great Neck North High School

• Jessica Ong, Great Neck North High School