Hope you are having a good start to 2022! My team and I have been hard at work in Lansing and in our district.

A few weeks ago, my colleagues Senator Geiss, Wojno, Alexander, Hollier, and I introduced legislation to ensure that all Michigan students learn about the history of people of color. Click here to learn more. My bill, SB 797, would require that schools teach Asian American history and is modeled after the TEAACH Act in Illinois.

In the midst of all the anti-Asian American hate and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had numerous conversations with Asian American parents, teachers, and professors who wonder why their children don’t learn comprehensive Asian American history in schools.

It is so clear to many Michiganders that if we actually taught the history of all our communities, perhaps we would have better community relations, less hate, and more inclusion. Our bills will make sure that my daughter’s generation will learn about the contributions of Asian Americans, Black Americans, Latino/as, Native Americans, and Arab and Chaldean Americans, as well as the painful history that our communities have endured through structural or individual discrimination.

It has been encouraging to see Illinois, New Jersey, and Florida stepping up to pass similar legislation and we will push for our bills to move forward in Michigan. It is critical that our students learn the truth about our history, including the contributions of people of color and the painful parts of our history as well.

I will keep fighting for what my residents need and deserve. Can you chip in $10, $25 or $50 to help make sure I can keep going in the State Senate?

Last week, it was an honor to work with Representative Padma Kuppa to host Karen Korematsu at the State Capitol. Karen is the daughter of civil rights hero, Fred Korematsu. On January 30, we celebrated Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. He defied the government's unconstitutional executive order that led to the internment of about 120,000 Japanese Americans. His case went all the way up to the Supreme Court and his legacy will continue to live on. We have introduced legislation to make Korematsu Day an official holiday.

Sincerely,

P.S. We must work hard to make sure we teach our children the truth -- the whole truth -- about American history. Your contribution will help make sure I can keep fighting to make this happen. Click on this link to donate!