AAPI History Textbook

UCLA professors Kelly Fong, left, and Karen Umemoto pose for a picture at UCLA's Asian American Studies Center in Los Angeles Monday, April 27, 2026.

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UCLA online textbook gives voice to Asian American, Pacific Islander history and cultures

UCLA online textbook gives voice to Asian American, Pacific Islander history and cultures

A new digital textbook from UCLA aims to change stereotypes about Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by teaching their history. Launching Saturday, the $12 million project called “Foundations and Futures” is designed for high school and college educators. It covers a wide range of AAPI communities and historical struggles. The textbook, developed by 100 contributors, includes chapters on Vietnamese, Hmong, and Indigenous Hawaiians, among others. It debuts amid political challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Despite potential resistance, the creators hope it will foster understanding and empathy by highlighting underrepresented stories.