“Make Asian American History Visible” is available to view on the college library’s first floor. To amplify and celebrate the history and contributions of Asian Americans that have been critical to the development of the United States and the world around us, Brooklyn College Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education/Art Education Xia Li has curated the exhibit of literature on display during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The collection includes works from Asian American studies classics, as well as books authored by AAPI faculty and scholars from Brooklyn College and CUNY, many of which have been recently added to the library’s collection. “From the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, Asian Americans have faced systemic discrimination and prejudice. Their stories have been left out of history textbooks, museums, and popular culture, perpetuating the myth that they are a monolithic group without agency or voice. The hope is that this collection will serve as a reminder of the incredible contributions of those peoples and cultures,” said Li. “Seeing the exhibit recently, I felt so belonged and valued. It means a lot to AAPI members like me to see a book exhibit that features Asian Americans and celebrates our culture and heritage. I encourage the extended Brooklyn College family to tour the book exhibit and show your support for the AAPI community.” The exhibit is being co-sponsored by the Brooklyn College Library, the School of Education, the American studies program, and the Asian American Faculty and Staff Association, among others. Books will be available for checkout after May 26. Some highlights from the exhibit selected by Associate Professor Xia Li Driven Out by Jean Pfaelzer (Public historian, commentator, and Professor of American Studies at the University of Delaware): “This is the first book I read on Asian American history, and deeply motivated me for this project. This book educated me on the historical context for the arrival of the first wave of Chinese immigrants in the United States, and the hostility, violence, and extreme discrimination towards Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century that culminated in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. An even stronger message for me from the book is how the early Chinese immigrants fought back by filing legal lawsuits, organizing protests and boycotts, etc.” Streetwise for Book Smarts by Celina Su (Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College): “I especially enjoyed discovering new authors and titles that I had not previously encountered. For example, this book examines the efforts of parents and students who sought to improve the quality of education in their local schools. It is relevant for me because as a parent of a minority group, I see how fellow parents struggle and fight and try to make a voice for their children’s education.” We Too Sing America: South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh Immigrants Shape Our Multiracial Future by Deepa Iyer (Leading racial justice activist who teaches in the Asian American studies program at the University of Maryland): “This book also stood out for me. I am going to check out this book after the exhibit event. I want to broaden my understanding of the experience and challenges of the other AAPI members. Knowing and understanding the history and experience of each other make us build a more just and equitable future.”
