ALBANY, NY (WENY)-- Some New York State lawmakers are pushing or a bill that would require public K-12 schools include Asian American Pacific Islander history in their curriculum. 

Some lawmakers said anti-Asian hate is increasing making this type of legislation even more pertinent. 

“It’s easy to hate people you don’t know and that’s why we’re looking to mandate the teaching of the Asian American experience,” said Sen. Liu (D-16th Senate District). 

The bill would require the New York State Education Department to identify and integrate Asian American, Pacific Islander history in the curriculum for students in public schools. 

Some lawmakers in the Assembly echoed the significance of education. Assembly Member Grace Lee (D-Assembly District 65) said Asian Americans belong in the history books of New York State public schools. 

“When we, as Asian-Americans, are treated as foreigners as strangers to this country, as not part of the American story in our history that gives the opening for people to treat us as other,” Lee said. 
 

She added hate is inspired by the way people perceive Asian-Americans. 

Some advocates with the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families or CACF said this bill is about more than education. It's about justice. 

“When you don’t see of self in curriculum, it impacts your sense of self. It impacts the dreams you see of yourself. It impacts how other people see you,” said Kulsoom Tapal, Education Policy Coordinator, CACF. 

The New York State Department of Education wrote in an email to WENY News they do not support curriculum mandate bills. 

The bill is currently still in committee but some lawmakers are confident it will pass this session. 

“This would be landmark legislation in the State of New York because we’ve never had this kind of curriculum bill passed before,” Sen. Liu said.