The Fight for Asian American Studies in Schools: A Conversation with Freda Lin

In this episode of the Teachers Forum, host David Harris speaks with Freda Lin, co-director of the YURI Education Project, about her journey from a conflicted racial identity in a homogenous suburb to becoming an activist for Asian American studies in education. Frieda shares her experiences at Northwestern University, where she fought for the establishment of Asian American studies, and discusses the importance of integrating marginalized histories into school curriculums. She also talks about founding the YURI Education Project to help educators teach Asian American history and the challenges they face in doing so. In this conversation, Freda Lin discusses the importance of integrating Asian American history into education, emphasizing the need to go beyond mere representation. She addresses the challenges educators face in the current political climate, the significance of building multiracial coalitions, and the complexities of Asian American identity. Freda also highlights the importance of connecting historical exclusionary policies to contemporary issues, finding hope in activism, and providing resources for educators to better teach these narratives.To Contact Freda Lin you can reach her at [email protected] on Asian American History:Asian American Histories of the United States by Catherine Ceniza ChoyThe Making of Asian America by Erika LeeAsian Americans PBS DocumentaryStrangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans by Ronald TakakiSend us a text with your thoughts or ideas, and follow and subscribe to The Teacher’s Forum so you don’t miss future episodes.Join the Conversation:[email protected]@theteachersforum.bsky.socialX (formerly Twitter) @theforum1993Please subscribe, share and leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Help us amplify the voices and issues of K-12 educators all over the world.