Curriculum abandons students searching for diversity Crystal Kay It seems Mate and I are in the same boat both of us are TIRED with the lack of breadth in Wesleyan’s academic curriculum. As an Asian American student on campus, I’ve had only one opportunity to take a course focused solely on Asian American studies. Besides one other class, which was a tutorial organized by the students themselves, it was the ONLY Asian American studies course offered in the time I’ve been here. As I peruse classes online, it seems I’m going to be disappointed yet again with the course selections offered for next semester Why do we need Asian American studies? We live in a world that is constantly changing. Whether we live in a melting pot or salad bowl, the generations of Asian American families that have been living in America; the increase of interracial children; and the influx of immigrants illustrate that America grows more ethnically diverse by the minute, and that the typical American may no longer be one who is White or middle class. Wesleyan claims and even prides itself on being a diverse, liberal, and progressive university, so why hasn’t it adjusted its curriculum to reflect the changing society? Why hasn’t it adapted to the needs of its students? Even though I consider myself American, I’ve been made to feel foreign, an outsider in my own country and even here at Wesleyan. Throughout the history of Wesleyan, hate crimes have consistently occurred against the Asian/Asian American community. Last year, during Asian/Asian American Awareness month, a hate letter was left in the mailbox of Chinese House stating “Go Fuck Yourself” in what were supposed to be Chinese hieroglyphics. This year, an altercation between two Korean American students and a group of white males occurred in the lobby of Hi Rise resulted in one of the Korean American students having to receive surgery for damage and injuries done to his eye. I don’t know whether this event was racially motivated and I don’t know if anyone will ever truly know. But it amazes me that an obviously blatant act of violence can, and did occur at Wesleyan. It has definitely made me reevaluate the level of comfort and safety I feel as a student on campus. Regardless, these acts of violence, such as the hate mail sent to Chinese House, justify and illustrate the need for Asian American studies at Wesleyan. As Mate said, “How else are we to combat the ignorance that created many of the issues surrounding those acts of violence? Education is the only, the best remedy to ignorance.” Though I realize Wesleyan is not perfect, I expect to be given the opportunity and tools to challenge myself academically. I need to take classes where I can learn Asian American literature, politics, and history. I need to have professors, scholars, and mentors I can relate to and who can guide me. When I don’t see those professors or courses in Wesleyan’s curriculum, it tells me that the institution I attend doesn’t care about me, or my needs. Kay is a member of the class of 2004.

editorial letters …because i said so Wesleyan offers an escape from a straight-only world HiRise incident was a vicious attack  Peaceful means not an option in Afghanistan Please respond to War Survey  Queerleader critique lacked a clear argument CJ missed the bus from ignorance to intellect Fujii’s “ethnic boat” is sinking A southpaw demands recognition for life challenge Curriculum abandons students searching for diversity Opponents of racism and speciesism must join together Wake-up for meteor shower!

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