There is a noticeable oversight in Penn State's American history curriculum. As we go on celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ebony and Ivory Week, woman's fight for equal rights, and even veterans of the Civil War, I cannot help but wonder about what happened to celebrating the contributions Asian Americans made in America. Asian-American history is not being taught here at Penn State, while it is thriving in programs at many other schools like the University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University and Stanford University.

Right now, Penn State has about 3,600 Asian Pacific students. This is slightly lower than the 3,800 African-American students enrolled, who not only have a class but an entire program dedicated to both African and African-American studies. Below the number of Asian Pacific students, there are about 2,000 Hispanic students, and Penn State provides classes like Latin America and the United States (HIST 467) and Latin-American History since 1820 (HIST 179). Currently, there is an East Asian studies program that covers Asian languages, literature, history and culture. But, this is not to be mistaken with Asian-American studies.

We must be given the opportunity to learn about the contributions Asians have made in America for the past 300 years, in addition to Asian studies. We should know the history so that we may continue building on the foundation that was placed by our past American leaders. Until an Asian-American studies class is established, the curriculum at Penn State will be incomplete.