Grace Meng pushes to establish the first AAPI Museum

Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, has announced that she’s sent a letter to Chairman Raúl Grijalva of the House Natural Resources Committee requesting that he hold a committee vote on legislation that would create the first national museum dedicated to preserving the history, culture, and accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Americans.

In Meng’s letter, she writes, “The story of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) is interwoven within the history of America, but frequently our history is forgotten or ignored in the greater narrative of American history. That is why we urge you to markup this bill as a first step to creating a national museum dedicated to the history and culture of AAPIs.

Museums are gateways to learning about ourselves, our communities, and our history. They provide space to memorialize the accomplishments of ancestors, learn from the past, and be inspired by the richness of where our country can go.

The history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is filled with immense contributions and sadly embedded with stories of disenfranchisement. From the thousands of Asian immigrants who helped build vital pieces of U.S. infrastructure, to the thousands who were denied entry and citizenship because of immigration laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act, AAPIs have shaped and been shaped by America for generations.”

What are your thoughts… would you be excited about a national museum dedicated to US?