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Amy Wu

Harvard University’s Asian-American Studies programme has received a significant boost after a US$45 million donation from a group of wealthy alumni.
One of the world’s most prestigious universities, Harvard is no stranger to generosity; its endowment fund now sits at US$53.2 billion. However, given that donations often go towards the naming of buildings, it is a breath of fresh air to have September’s money be put to more meaningful use.
The former students, all of whom are Asian-American, earmarked the money for the expansion of Harvard’s Asian-American Studies programme – which means more professorships, fellowships and, ultimately, more courses and students.
This is a milestone for a number of reasons. Most Asian-American studies programmes in the US are given neither adequate attention nor funding. The discipline is often tucked within the broad majors of History and Ethnic Studies, with the history and contributions of Asians in America diluted, if not totally ignored.
The news of the donation comes at a critical time. Sadly, anti-Chinese sentiment remains strong, while US-China relations are frayed at best. US President Joe Biden’s China policy is informed in part by fears that America’s economy will be overtaken by that of China. Indeed, the White House has announced a US diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.


Many Asian-Americans have felt the effects of the rise in anti-Asian racism since the start of the coronavirus pandemic almost two years ago. It did not help that former US president Donald Trump repeatedly referred to Covid-19 as the “Chinese virus”.
However, Asian-Americans have collectively fought back, taking to the streets in droves. As a result, an anti-Asian hate crime bill was passed by the US government in May.
But if long-lasting change is to be achieved, Asian-American history needs to be included in the US education system. Ideally, this should start in primary and secondary school, but short of accomplishing that goal, Asian-American studies should have its own home at all colleges and universities.
Harvard’s plan to expand its Asian-American Studies programme is a step in the right direction, and other universities may follow suit amid increased pressure from students and staff.
The Asian-American Studies Movement was launched by faculty and students at Williams College in Massachusetts in a bid to get the university to hire more Asian-American professors and establish an Asian-American Studies programme. A programme prospectus was recently presented to the university president, raising hope for the movement.

To be sure, Asian-American studies was born out of activism; the discipline was established in the US in the 1960s following months of protests and strikes by the Third World Liberation Front, a group of minority students from San Francisco State University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, Berkeley.
The students demanded courses devoted to the history of ethnic minority groups, the hiring of professors of colour and a more diverse student body. The contributions of Asian-Americans in a vast number of sectors – business, agriculture, banking, infrastructure, you name it – had up to that point been largely excluded from US history.
Positive changes are being seen elsewhere. Michelle Wu recently made history by becoming the first woman and first person of colour to serve as Boston mayor.
Asian-American leaders launch US$250 million effort to combat hate
Since Wu’s election, I have received a number of congratulatory texts from friends and acquaintances – some of whom, admittedly, might have thought that Wu is a relation of mine.
Finally, it is up to Asian-Americans to not only demand change, but create it themselves by supporting the incorporation of Asian-American studies into school and university curriculums.
If Asian-American studies has a home in every college and university in the US and beyond, our past, present and future contributions will be documented and our voices will be permanent. This has the potential to create lasting change and much warranted pride in our ancestry.
Amy Wu is a first-generation American-born Chinese journalist who previously lived and worked in Hong Kong. She currently splits her time between California and New York


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Opinion

Harvard University will expand its Asian-American Studies programme after receiving a US$45 million donation from former students
The move comes as spikes in anti-Asian racism highlight the need for Asian-American history to be better incorporated into the US education system


Harvard University will expand its Asian-American Studies programme after receiving a US45 million donation. The move comes as spikes in anti-Asian racism highlight the need for Asian-American history to be better incorporated into the US education system.


US-China relations

Education

Racism and other prejudice

United States

5050

Asian-Americans

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)
