Event

Why AAPI History Matters

Saturday, May 7, 2022
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Business and Community Center

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are one of our fastest growing populations, and Laura Houcque Prabhakar discusses the oft-ignored AAPI portions of United States history.

Although AAPI history is deeply intertwined with U.S. history, it is often forgotten or ignored in both the classroom and in public discourse. The AAPI community experienced discrimination long before 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated acts of hatred and bigotry. Knowledge is a powerful tool that can be used to build a stronger and more inclusive future. It is time to depict a more comprehensive picture of AAPI history so that young Asian Americans can see themselves reflected in the school curriculum while we address increased anti-Asian sentiment.

Laura Houcque (originally Ouk) Prabhakar is a Southeast Asian educator in Chicago. She represented the Cambodian Association of Illinois on the steering committee led by Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago that advocated for the TEAACH Act in Illinois and serves on the Curricular Resource Development Team.

All participants must follow the library's pandemic safety guidance.

Online registration is closed.