Asian Americans are often referred to as the “model minority,” suggesting that all Asians are successful; however disaggregated, Southeast Asian Americans have some of the lowest high school completion rates in the nation.
The Southeast Asia Center at the University of Washington, Southeast Asian Education (SEAeD) Coalition, and students working on the All Students Count Act presents a screening of the PBS documentary Pass or Fail in Cambodia Town. This film explores Long Beach, California, America’s largest Khmer community—to find out why this educational crisis is happening.
The event is led by local SE Asian students who care about educational access and equity. The students will present why data disaggregation is important to them and what we as a community can do to eliminate this opportunity gap.
Participants will then get the chance to take part in a statewide photo campaign, be interviewed for the data disaggregation campaign, and write to their legislator and senator.
“The All Students Count Act is important to the API community because colleges, universities, and other institutions group API people with the broad stroke of ‘Asian,’ thus nullifying any struggles—war, poverty—of API people.”
—Local Highline College student
Nevertheless, there is much pride and a lot to celebrate in the Southeast Asian community.
There will be performances by the Lao Heritage Foundation, a local Vietnamese hip-hop group, and a poetry reading by University of Washington lecturer, Luoth Yin.
The event happens at the Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St. Seattle, WA 98104) on Friday, January 30. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact [email protected].
