untold civil rights stories: asian americans speak out for justice

If you're like me, growing up as a student, you heard a lot about civil rights history, but not much about the role of Asian Americans in those struggles. But wait! There's a new book for you. Untold Civil Rights Stories: Asian Americans Speak Out for Justice is the first educational textbook describing the role of Asian Americans in United States civil rights history.

Recently published by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center and the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, it's the first book created for students to learn and discuss the social struggles Asian Americans have faced for over a century in this country.

The book tells the stories of Amric Singh Rathour, Beulah Ong Kwoh, Fred Korematsu, Joseph Ileto, K.W. Lee, Lily Chin, Peping Baclig, Philip Vera Cruz, and the enslaved Thai garment workers -- real stories that are often forgotten in history texts. The goal is to fill an educational void and correct the "invisibility" of Asian Americans in United States history.

Untold Civil Rights Stories is edited by APALC's President & Executive Director, Stewart Kwoh, and UCLA Asian American Studies adjunct professor, Russell C. Leong. Contributors include May Lee Heye, Bill Ong Hing, Dale Minami, Karen Narasaki, Angela Oh, Mary Ellen Kwoh Shu, Julie Su, Casimiro Urbano Tolentino, Kent Wong, Eric Yamamoto, Helen Zia, Esther Taira, and Irene Lee.

The book includes timelines, student commentary and lesson plans geared especially for k-12th grade students learning about United States history, economics, and government. For more information go to the UCLA Asian American Studies Center website here, or download the press packet here.