Elementary Students' Inquiry Into Anti-Asian Violence Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and the History of Racialized Epidemics

• In Event: Critical Explorations: Students Grappling With Critical Questions and Issues

Abstract

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Asian Americans were basely accused as the cause of pandemic and suffered from the upsurge of anti-Asian violence. Disturbingly, this is not the first time Asian Americans were scapegoated for a public health crisis. Further, this is not the first time a racially marginalized group was blamed for an epidemic. In order to stop the repeating history, we designed and taught an inquiry lesson in which 5th grade students investigated the troubling history of racializing epidemics in the US. Using a practitioner inquiry approach, we reflected on our teaching and student learning. We present what we learned from the inquiry with focus on the possibility and challenge in empowering elementary students with critical race knowledge.

Author

• Sohyun An, Kennesaw State University