Asian American

HCPSS Reflection on Recent Events

Dear HCPSS Community:

We would like to take a moment to address the recent events in our nation, state, and county. As we grapple with the social-emotional impacts of a pandemic that may have forever changed our daily lives, we have witnessed another senseless killing of an African American, George Floyd. It is important that we acknowledge this event, reflect on the hurt and pain we are feeling and resolve together to do our part to eradicate hate, condemn violence and stand up to acts of racism within our own community.

We are outraged that incidents like these continue to occur and as educators, we know that these incidents have a profound impact on our children. As recently as last week there have been incidents where our students have made or posted racially charged remarks on social media. Our entire community suffers when even one individual feels their sense of safety and belonging is compromised.

At this moment, the word pandemic holds so much more meaning. We are facing a pandemic of racism, hate, and bias that threatens the freedom, peace and well-being of every person in our nation. During the COVID–19 pandemic, we have seen members of our community discriminated against and scapegoated. Now, amidst dealing with the uncertainty of a post-COVID world, we once again are met with the harsh reality that some in our society do not value the lives of African Americans. Make no mistake about it, what is happening in Minneapolis is part of a systemic issue that we need to talk about and address. What we are seeing across America is more than just a reaction to one incident; it is a culmination of years of dismissal, frustration, and anger.

The great writer James Baldwin said it best, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” The best way for us to get through this is to face it head on and talk about it. We must create opportunities and spaces for people to share and heal together. We are asking staff, families, and community members to talk openly about what is happening and to encourage our young people and adults to talk through this. These conversations can be hard, but they are necessary. We encourage you to review resources that we have provided on the HCPSS website, including how to talk to children about traumatic events.

If you are unsure where to start, reach out to community and faith-based organizations that may be able to help, or contact our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Dr. Kevin Gilbert at Kevin_Gilbert@hcpss.org.

As a school system, we will continue to invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion resources, in order to address the structural racism in a measured and intentional way. Collectively, the Board of Education and superintendent have made a commitment to invest in restorative justice practices, mental health supports, anti-bullying resources, anti-bias and microaggressions training, and professional learning for leaders to operationalize equity in every building and office. Now more than ever, our commitment must not waver. Our school system, however, cannot do this alone and it is incumbent upon every individual in our community to take the initiative and have the tough, uncomfortable conversations that are necessary to address incivility and hate.

To our students, we want to say that if you are feeling unsafe, please reach out to a trusted adult—whether it is a parent, guardian, relative, teacher or administrator. We may not be together in our school buildings right now to provide you support in person but know that all of us are here to help you, protect you, and take care of your well-being first and foremost.

We ask that together, we use the widespread hurt, pain, and anger as a catalyst to create the type of society we desire for each and every one of our students. We pledge to do everything within our authority to eradicate acts of violence, hatred, and racism in the Howard County Public School System and create an environment where every student feels a sense of safety, belonging and inclusion.

Sincerely,

Mavis Ellis
Chair, Board of Education

Michael J. Martirano
Superintendent

Committee of 100 Condemns Chinese American Racial Profiling

Committee of 100 Condemns Chinese American
Racial Profiling


Contact: Christina Lu, National Program Director
media@committee100.org or 212-371-6565


  (New York, NY, April 7, 2019) – The members of the Committee of 100 — all United States citizens — are compelled to stand up and speak out against the racial profiling that has become increasingly common in the United States where Chinese Americans are being targeted as potential traitors, spies, and agents of foreign influence. Even as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our non-profit organization, committed to our dual missions of a constructive U.S.-China engagement and the full equality and inclusion of Chinese Americans, our community has come under attack again. In the last few years, a few high American government officials, respected media outlets, and opinion leaders have stated or suggested that all Chinese persons in America should be suspected of wrongdoing. Overzealous criminal prosecutions in recent years of innocent individuals such as Sherry Chen and Xiaoxing Xi, like Wen Ho Lee before them, have embarrassingly fallen apart, while ruining lives for no reason. Such targeting of individuals based on their ethnic heritage or national origin violates our shared American ideals. It simply has to stop.

More than a year ago, the Director of the FBI testified before Congress to the effect that all Chinese students and researchers represented a “whole of society” threat to the American way of life. Although he had a chance to clarify, he chose to reiterate that he meant what he had said: in his eyes, every person of Chinese descent was to be distrusted. Likewise, some leading China watchers have expressed similar sentiments. They have warned that Chinese American organizations may be used by China’s government for illicit activities. The more sophisticated have disavowed any intent to stereotype. For Chinese Americans, however, the impact has already been chilling and negative: in scientific, business, political, academic and government circles, Chinese Americans are reporting being subject to greater scrutiny and discriminatory treatment in their work and daily lives. Racial profiling is wrong and un-American in our nation of democracy. It is imperative that those who are committed to the civil rights of all Americans disavow this kind of broad-brush racial stereotyping and fear-mongering.

Since normalization of relations between the United States and China four decades ago, we have witnessed an economic transformation in China never before documented in the annals of human history that has understandably led to some anxiety for Americans. There are legitimate concerns that the United States, and we, as Americans, can have and express about China’s policies and practices. There also are instances of inappropriate, even illegal, conduct by persons of Chinese heritage. The American ideal, however, is the presumption of innocence, due process, and the right of all individuals to express themselves without fear of guilt by association, especially on a racial basis. 

The Committee of 100 was established in the belief that Chinese Americans could play a unique role in bridge building. As Americans who appreciate China through our heritage, we can and will continue to facilitate the constructive engagement which has defined U.S.-China relations since “ping pong diplomacy.” We will also continue to fight for Chinese American equality through civic engagement and speaking out against discrimination and injustice. By standing up and speaking out for what is right and just, Chinese Americans can help lead the way in answering the call that is always before us as Americans: to embody more perfectly the ideals and principles of this great nation we call home. 

The Committee of 100 (C100) is a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent and extraordinary Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, and the arts. Founded by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei and internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, among others, it is an institution of U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage. For 30 years, C100 has served as a preeminent organization committed to the dual missions of promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life and constructive relations between the United States and Greater China. www.committee100.org ###

百人会谴责针对华裔美国人带有种族偏见的刻板定性

(美国纽约州纽约市，2019年4月7日) – 作为美国公民，我们百人会的成员必须站出来反对正在美国不断蔓延的带有种族偏见的刻板定性。如今，一些华裔美国人被有针对性地当做潜在的叛徒、间谍和外国势力的代理人。作为一个的非营利组织，百人会的双重使命是推动美中两国的建设性交往以及为华裔美国人争取平等权利并融入社会。然而，即便在百人会庆祝其成立三十周年之际，我们的社区依然持续遭到攻击。在过去的几年里，一些美国政府的高级官员、广受尊敬的媒体和意见领袖均曾表示或者暗示所有在美华人都应被怀疑有不法行为。近年来，如陈霞芬和郗小星这样无辜的人都像在他们之前的李文和一样遭到了不公平的刑事起诉。虽然这些刑事起诉最终都以令人尴尬的方式被撤销，但是却毫无缘由地摧毁了当事人的正常生活。这种基于种族或国家来源的针对行为违背了我们公认的美国价值观。这一切必须停止。

一年多以前，联邦调查局局长在其对国会的证词中表示所有来自中国的学生和研究人员对美国的生活方式都带来了全面性的威胁。他本有机会对此进行澄清，但却选择了重申这一说法。在他看来，所有华裔都不值得被信任。同时，一些知名的中国观察者也表达了类似的观点。他们告诫大家华裔美国人的组织可能被中国政府利用以从事非法活动。一些更为精明的人甚至否认了这是带有种族偏见的刻板印象。然而，这些言论对华裔美国人所带来的负面影响令人不寒而栗。在科学界、商界、政界、学术界和政府圈中的华裔美
国人纷纷表示他们的工作和日常生活遭受到了更严格的审查和歧视性的对待。在我们这样的民主国家中，带有种族偏见的刻板定性是错误并有违美国价值观的。所有致力于维护每个美国公民权利的人都应坚决反对这种一刀切的种族偏见和制造恐慌的行为。

美中关系正常化四十年以来，我们在中国目睹了人类历史上前所未有的经济转型。这在一些美国人心中引起焦虑是可以理解的。对于中国政府的政策和行为，美国政府和作为美国公民的我们可以有合理的担忧并表达看法。个别华裔确有不恰当甚至非法的行为。然而，最基本的美国价值观包括了无罪推定、正当程序以及所有人都能够自由表达而不必担心因为连带关系和种族偏见而被判有罪。

我们建立百人会是因为我们相信华裔美国人可以成为独特的沟通桥梁。作为因传承而更擅长解读中国的美国人，我们能够并将继续推动自“乒乓外交”以来美中关系搭建的建设性交流。我们也将通过公民参与和为歧视以及不公平待遇发声继续为华裔美国人的平等权利奋斗。华裔美国人应该站出来为正义和公正疾呼，作为先驱承担我们作为美国公民的使命，更完美地展现这个我们称之为家的伟大国度的价值观和原则。
 

百人会（简称：C100）是由杰出美籍华人组成的非营利组织，成员来自商界、政界、学界及各艺术领域，由蜚声全球的建筑大师贝聿铭及大提琴演奏家马友友等人发起成立，会员依据个人杰出成就凭邀请入会。成立近30年来，百人会汇集其杰出会员的集体力量，始终致力于其两大使命，即推动美籍华人在美国社会生活中的全面参与，促进美国及大中华地区间建设性关系的发展。更多信息: www.committee100.org.

2018 First Generation Candidates in Howard County

There are many first generation American citizens running for public office this year in Howard County. I asked Baltimore Sun (Columbia Flier) to have some coverage on this topic and have not heard back yet. I believe this is an interesting topic. Every candidate can share his/her unique story.

For the 2018 BOE election, there are four first time and first generation candidates: myself, Saif Rehman, Anita Pandey and Sabina Taj. For the county council, there are three candidates: Raj Kathuria( District 1), John Liao ( District 2), Hiruy Hadgu(District 3).

I had an interview with ACM media in Rockville, Maryland in March, 2018. I talked about why I want to run and what I want to bring to the Howard County BOE. It was conducted in Chinese. Both John and I were interviewed together.

I am running for BOE because I want to bring change and a new perspective to the school board. School budget, school safety and student performance are my top priorities. I want to bring an engineer and analyst background to the board, seek common ground and look for practical and optimal solutions to solve many problems HCPSS is facing now.

If you can understand Chinese a little bit, please watch it.

Incompetent FBI and racial profiling from FBI

I believe FBI Director Christopher Wray will be in history demise. His agency could not prevent mass shooting in Florida high school even with early warnings, could not prevent Boston Marathon Massacre even with repeated warnings, and self involved in the Russian meddling in US election illegally, now categorized the whole Chinese “covertly gathering intelligence for the Chinese government”.

I also blame Florida senator Marco Rubio to create this McCarthy mentality. The news is here : http://www.businessinsider.com/china-threat-to-america-fbi-director-warns-2018-2

Here is the reaction from Committee of 100.

Committee of 100 Denounces Broad Brush Stereotyping and Targeting of Chinese Students and Academics
 

(New York, NY, February 16, 2018) — In recent remarks to the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wray opined that Chinese academics or “non-traditional collectors” — “professors, scientists, students” studying and working in the United States in “basically every discipline” — may be covertly gathering intelligence for the Chinese government. The Committee of 100 (C100), a non-partisan organization of illustrious Chinese Americans committed to promoting constructive dialogue and relationships between the peoples and leaders of the U.S. and China, and the full inclusion of Chinese Americans in the U.S., finds these comments to be disturbing and prejudicial. To target a whole group of people as being subject to greater suspicion, based purely on race and national origin, and in advance of any facts or evidence, goes against the fundamental American ideals of the presumption of innocence, due process and equal protection for all. It also fans the flames of hysteria.

We have seen instances in our history when Asian Americans have encountered such racial prejudice resulting in discriminatory laws and harmful actions, whether through the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 or the internment of 110,000 Japanese Americans during World War II. These incidences have been shameful chapters in American history, ones that we must collectively, as a nation, commit to not repeating. We need to learn the lessons of history, we need to do better by one another.

The Committee of 100 is unequivocally committed to America’s national security and recognizes the importance of ensuring our nation is able to counteract perils from espionage. However, C100 supports fair and appropriate investigation, prosecution, and punishment of espionage that is based on the evidence and not on profiling or suspicion based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. Within the last two decades, we have seen this rush-to-judgement in the cases of Dr. Wen Ho Lee, Dr. Xiaoxing Xi, and Ms. Sherry Chen — all Chinese American scientists or federal employees who were unjustly prosecuted based on suspicion of their ancestry, but who were later found to be innocent of wrongdoing, though not before having their lives ruined.

“For over 160 years, despite the stereotype of being ‘perpetual foreigners’, Chinese immigrants, many of whom first arrived as students, have contributed immeasurably to the richness and success of the United States, including 8 Chinese Americans winning Nobel prizes in the sciences while working in America,” notes Frank H. Wu, Chairman of C100. “In every field from the arts to the sciences, business to entertainment, politics to sports, Chinese Americans are loyal and hard-working citizens no different than their neighbors.”

At this time when there is great potential for polarization and misunderstanding, C100 cautions against stoking fears through broad-brush stereotyping of any group of people. As Americans, we need to speak up and renew our commitment to upholding our cherished principles of the presumption of innocence and due process for all.

The Committee of 100 (C100) is a non-profit leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, and the arts. Founded by world renowned architect I.M. Pei and internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, among others, it is an institution for U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage to join by invitation based on their extraordinary achievements. For over 25 years, C100 has served as a preeminent organization committed to the twin missions of promoting full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life, and encouraging constructive relations between the peoples of the United States and Greater China. www.committee100.org

###

联系人： 百人会政策总监李茸
media@committee100.org 或 212-371-6565
百人会谴责宽泛标签化及针对华裔学生学者的言论
(美国纽约州纽约市，2018年2月16日) — 在最近一次美国联邦参议院情报委员会的听证中，联邦调查局局长克里斯托弗·雷(Christopher Wray)表示，在美国“几乎所有领域”中均有“教授、科研人员、学生”在学习和工作；这些或可称之为“非传统的情报收集人员”的中国学者有可能秘密地在为中国政府收集情报。百人会(Committee of 100)作为一个致力于促进中美两国人民和领导层之间建设性对话关系，并以全面促进华裔美国人融入美国社会为己任的无党派杰出美籍华人组织，认为以上这种言论非常令人不安、指责过分标签化且存在着十分不必要的偏见。在摆出任何事实和证据之前，仅以纯粹的种族和出生地就对一个群体发出如此巨大的怀疑，这种行为不但违背了无罪推定、正当程序以及平等保护等美国宪法的根基理念，也容易煽动歇斯底里的不当情绪。

美国历史中不乏这样的案例：不论是1882年实施的《排华法案》，还是第二次世界大战期间11万日裔美国人被拘禁的事实，均见证了亚裔美国人由于种族偏见而承受歧视性法律和不公行为所带来的伤害。这些都是美国引以为耻的历史，是我们应该从国家整体的高度竭力避免重复的章节。我们必须从历史中吸取经验教训，彼此互免，寻求进步。

百人会明确支持保护美国国家安全，并承认确保国家有能力阻止间谍活动所带来的威胁确实至关重要。然而，百人会支持的是基于证据的公正及妥当的调查、起诉和对间谍活动的惩罚，而不是基于种族、民族和出生地的标签化猜忌和怀疑。过去20年间，我们目睹了李文和博士、郗小星博士和陈霞芬女士被急于审判的不幸案例。这三名华裔美国科学家或联邦政府雇员均受到了不公正的指控和基于他们血统的怀疑，尽管最终被证明无罪，但也无法复原他们被毁的人生。

百人会会长吴华扬指出：“在过去的160年间，尽管华裔移民始终被贴上‘永久外国人’的标签，但是他们却为美国贡献出了不可估量的财富和成就。这些很多初来美国时都是学生身份的华裔美国人在艺术、科学、商业、娱乐、政治及体育等各个领域均作出了贡献，其中还包括八名诺贝尔奖获得者。华裔美国人的忠诚和努力是有目共睹的，与其他族裔并无差别。”

在当前社会两极分化及误解加深风险加剧的时刻，百人会提请人们反对这种利用标签化某一族群而煽动针对该族群恐惧心理的行为。作为美国人，我们应大声疾呼，重申我们在坚持珍视无罪推定原则和正当程序方面的承诺。

百人会（简称：C100）是由杰出美籍华人组成的非营利组织，成员来自商界、政界、学界及各艺术领域，由蜚声全球的建筑大师贝聿铭及大提琴演奏家马友友等人发起成立，会员依据个人杰出成就凭邀请入会。成立近30年来，百人会汇集其杰出会员的集体力量，始终致力于其两大使命，即推动美籍华人在美国社会生活中的全面参与，促进美国及大中华地区间建设性关系的发展。更多信息: www.committee100.org.

 

Colors of the Wind Holiday Gala of Greater Washington DC on 12/16/2017

Colors of the Wind Holiday Gala of Greater Washington DC on 12/16/2017

at River Hill High School

相约12/16：七彩华府嘉年晚会开锣在即

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为弘扬中华文化并促进与美国多元文化的交流，亚美发展与交流基金会携手马里兰州培英中文学校，经过几个月的精心筹划，将于12月16日在马州哈维郡(Howard County, Maryland)隆重推出首屆”七彩华府”嘉年晚会。

这台晚会不仅仅是华人社区的活动，也是一个基于美国社区的交流活动。晚会主题“七彩华府”既反映了色彩全谱，也包含了五音七律，它恰恰蕴含着文化交流、族裔交融的意义，这也正是主办方搭建这一平台的用意所在。作为晚会主办方之一的亚美发展与交流基金会，是去年九月在美国马里兰州正式注册成立的一个非赢利、非政治、非宗教民间组织，其宗旨在于提升美国亚太社区的发展与交流及促进国际合作，其所致力的活动除了弘扬中华传统文化、鼓励和助推青少年参与社会活动、支持新移民融入当地社会、助学育人之外，也通过大力开展各种文化交流活动，推广各个领域和地区的经济交往，并通过搭建各种高端国际文化交流、高峰论坛、智库研究等平台来凝聚社会各方面力量。晚会的另一主办方培英中文学校就坐落于风景秀丽的马里兰州哈维郡优秀的RIVER HILL高中，这也是这场晚会的演出场地。成立于2011年的培英中文学校也是一个马里兰注册的非赢利教育机构。作为海外中文教育的一支新军，培英一贯坚持因材施教，小班精英教育理念，把中文教育与服务社区结合起来，在哈维郡首次推出了许多中文以外的课程，教育讲座和社区活动，为社区华裔和其它族裔学生提供紧跟时代的实践和教育，成为了哈维郡堪比私立教育品质的翘楚。

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领衔本场晚会担任总指挥并兼任总导演的张斌先生是华府侨界和艺术界熟知的人物，他不仅服务侨社多年并曾担任大华府地区多个社团主要负责人，也与华府地区许多艺术家合作,全身心打造过华府地区多场综艺晚会和音乐会。担任晚会执行导演的是多年来活跃于巴尔的摩和华府地区、组织过多场社区晚会的杨芳女士。她有丰富的晚会组织和舞台表演经验，将精心协助落实晚会细节。晚会组委会团队还囊括了程云楷、伍超等知名侨领，以及以董事长刘登峰、校长黄茹为核心的培英中文学校团队，加上众多艺术家的加盟与合作(本晚会特邀雅歌合唱团指挥苗歌老师和知名旅美音乐制作人谢江先生担任艺术顾问)，目前整个晚会节目的征集和麟选已近完成，节目在形式多样性和多族裔参与、艺术、通俗等各方面都会包容，以达到交流的效果及满足观众的需求，为华府地区的族群交融拓展新的路径。晚会将特邀数位专业演员加盟，有纽约来的著名华人音乐人、实力歌手，西裔著名拉丁舞表演艺术家，著名二胡演奏家，以及进入美国达人秀（America‘s Got Talent）准决赛的著名魔术和娱乐大师，还有华府地区的优秀华人表演团体等等，这将是一场荟集华府地区及美东地区中美精品文艺资源的高水平艺术盛会，非常值得期待！

接下来几周，组委会将会陆续给大家作精选剧透，敬请关注。
晚会筹备巳得到一些商家的大力支持，目前赞助商家包括东京海鲜楼（
Tokyo Seafood Buffet）、全球厨柜批发 （Global Home Co）、泰腾汽车钣金维修中心（Titan Auto Body & Auto Repair）、丰盈国际貿易公司（ToYo International Trading INC）、美国阳恒鞋业有限公司（Star Bay Group Inc.）、爱维贷款（Ivy Mortgage）Zoe Su经理、富友餐馆(Hunan Manor)、吉米修车(Jimmies Auto)等。组委会衷心感谢我们的赞助商并希望得到更多商家和个人给与赞助支持! 赞助商家可在节目单中登载广告并获赠演出票，组委会还将登报鸣谢。有意支持的商家敬请与程云楷 (703- 395-1133) 或张斌 (410-294-8637) 接冾。
七彩华府嘉年晚会
Colors of the Wind Holiday Gala of Greater Washington DC

时间:  2017年12月16日 (周六)  晚上7时
地点:  River Hill 高中礼堂 (12101 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029)
票价:     $15、$20、$50 (VIP)  ； 团体票（10张以上可得8折优惠）。

购票联系: 王女士: 605-261-6636；曾女士: 443-668-2979；任女士: 410-300-3289；陈女士: 443-538-1396；黄女士: 410-227-5199；玲女士: 202-868-9126；张女士: 301-796-4165；袁先生: 667-216-5898
 

Film screening invitation: The Mississippi Delta Chinese

Screening of Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese

Hosted by Chinese American Parent Association of Howard County and Howard County Chinese School

Time: 12:00- 2:00PM Sunday, May 7th, 2017.

Location: Howard Community College, CL Building N220.

The film tells the story of the early Chinese immigrants to the Mississippi Delta during the 19th century; then it explores how the community steadily grew in the early part of the 20th century, as Chinese families across the Delta opened grocery stores that served both the black and white populations. Subsequently, it reveals how 182 Chinese men from the Delta participated in all aspects of the US war effort in WWII, shows the transformational nature of their participation in the war for the development of the community in the decades immediately after the war, and concludes by documenting the contributions of the Chinese Delta families to the state of Mississippi and beyond as their children became doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and many other types of professionals in the contemporary era.

A preview of the film can be found at https://www.heritageseries.us/honor-and-duty/
Part One 1870 to 1940 – How Chinese first came to Mississippi

Part Two 1941-1945 – Chinese WWII veterans and their families

Part Three 1946 to Present – Chinese as part of the social and economic fabric, custom and culture of Mississippi.
This is an excellent documentary for adults and older kids (middle schoolers and above). Come to learn our immigration history, understand issues of today, and our future in this culture and land, and support this filmmaker who spent her own funds and used her resources to produce this excellent documentary.

哈维华裔家长联合会CAPA-HC联合哈维中文学校隆重推荐纪录片《荣誉和责任：密西西比三角洲华人》

大家都知道密西西比三角洲曾经是美国种族冲突最严重的地方。可是你是否知道，从上世纪初开始，这里就一直生活着一群华人？ 他们是什么样的一群人，怎么样在这里谋生,如何在这片异国的土地上扎根？你是否知道他们在第二次世界大战中为美国效力？

本 片描述了密西西比华人移民跨越150年的历史。影片历经制片人Samantha Cheng 多年的资料收集，呈现出当年在肤色隔离和排华法案环境下那批华人的生活状态，以及他们通过经营杂货店，参加二战，自主办学，跟白人和黑人交朋友，最终赢得 当地社会的尊重的历史过程。影片结尾展示这批华人的后代作为professionals对现代美国社会的贡献。

这是一部非常值得我们观看和 思考的纪录片。制片人Samantha Cheng会来主持放映和随后的Q&A. 诚邀您携家人于5月7日星期天中午12点来HCC CL Building N220教室观看。让我们一起了解华裔美国人在美国的成长和奋斗史。让我们一起了解华人对美国社会的贡献。同时也请大家来支持Samantha的努力和付 出。

New Chinese Immigrants Are Different From Chinese Americans And Proud Of It

1 Comment

New Chinese Immigrants Are Different From Chinese Americans And Proud Of It

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chinese-american-immigrants_us_58dd412ee4b05eae031df98c

Rupert Li’s article responding to Prof. Frank H Wu’s ” A Private Note to Asian American Activists About New Arrivals”: https://chaowu.org/2017/03/19/the-gap-and-stereotype-of-chinese-americans/

This is a useful and timely discussion for the Chinese Americans. If we value diversity, then all opinions should be civilly discussed.  If we seek unity, we should dare to discuss this uncomfortable topics and find the common ground for the community which is complex and diverse itself.

I was shouted “Go back to China”

3 Comments

I was shouted “Go back to China”

 By Dr. Chao Wu, Clarksville, chaowu2016@gmail.com

On Monday, March 20th 2017, I submitted this article to Columbia Flier ( Howard County Times) for publication. Since it was not published by them in two weeks, I am sharing here now.

Recently, several incidents of Indian, Chinese, Sikh Americans being murdered occurred around country. It is a sad reality we are facing and it is challenging us to unite our diverse community.

As a Chinese immigrant, I have experienced racism first hand when I was studying at University of Maryland, College Park. One spring day in 2007, while I was riding my bike to school on Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, I was yelled at “go back to China” and more than ten school girls (little and not too little) threw stones at me. I was scared but brave enough at the time to shout back: “How do you know I am from China”?  That was my first encounter with blatant racism.  Later my friends and coworkers told me that I should never argue with them because they may have guns with them.

What did I do? I told my colleagues and friends about this incident, then quit riding to school. I studied hard and worked hard. Life moves on. I am now living in one of the best counties, raising a family and serving the community.

History will repeat itself unless we are vigilant. I am well read about the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act and Japanese internment camps. I also understand the difficulties that many new immigrants are facing because I am one of them.  At the same time, we should be careful not to call all accidents as racism which will negatively dilute the message and not help facilitate discussions. Issue based discussions are much easier to start and can actually result in something useful since people will fight to the death about religion and ideology.

Furthermore, we should not just pander history, which unfortunately is very complicated, and sometimes very cruel. Instead, we should focus on thinking forward – on how to provide better education, create more jobs, and how to build a harmonious community.

Denouncement of White Nationalist Poster in UMD

2 Comments

The accident happens unfortunately at UMD where I spent and enjoyed much time there. See the link and picture:

http://www.dbknews.com/2017/03/13/umd-white-nationalist-posters-racism/?from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=0

Maryland Chinese American Network (MD-CAN) Statement on University of Maryland White Nationalist Posters

March 21, 2017

Maryland Chinese American Network (MD-CAN), a nonpartisan, issue based community advocacy group denounces the content of the white nationalist posters found in University of Maryland at College Park campus on March 13, 2017.  It is against MD-CAN’s devotion to a diverse and inclusive Maryland.

We fully support President Wallace D. Loh’s statement on March 14 and University of Maryland Police Department’s diligent follow up action.  While understanding the freedom of speech right, we consider these posters offensive and abhorrent.

MD-CAN commits to working with the community in making sure students, including international students, feel safe and welcome on campus in State of Maryland and our great country, the United States of America.

The gap and stereotype of Chinese Americans

1 Comment

Frank H. Wu, law professor of UC Hastings and chair of Committee 100. After reading his article, I feel a little uneasy.  There is a disconnect or gap between the first generation Chinese immigrants coming here 50 years ago and those coming here 20 years ago. There is a gap between the first generation immigrants and their children. The stereotype on the Chinese Americans who came here 50 years ago, are still lingering around.

We just need work hard to find a common ground, a general platform to unite and move forward.

A Private Note to Asian American Activists About New Arrivals

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-private-note-to-asian-american-activists-about-new_us_58cd2d3fe4b0537abd957102

Welcome for your comments.

Sherry Chen’s Fighting for Fairness and Justice

http://www.sherrychendefensefund.org/mspb-hearing-sherry-chen-vs-doc.html

Sherry Chen’s Upcoming MSPB Hearing: Fighting for Fairness and Justice for Herself & the Community

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2017 /PR Newswire/ — The Merit Systems Protection Board will hold a public hearing on Sherry Chen’s appeal in the U.S. Court House, Cincinnati, Ohio on March 14-15.

Sherry Chen was an award-winning hydrologist at the National Weather Service.  For over a decade, she worked tirelessly on developing flood prediction models to save lives and properties throughout the Ohio Valley.  However, in 2014 her valuable work was halted when she was wrongfully charged by the government for spying for China.

The New York Times broke the story about Sherry Chen (http://nyti.ms/1J3RKSe) and its editorial board demanded an apology from the government.  CBS’s 60 Minutes broadcasted her and Professor Xiaoxing Xi’s story as “Collateral Damage” (http://cbsn.ws/1Nvsii1).  Congressional members, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and thousands of community organizations and individuals requested the Department of Justice to explain the pattern of investigating and prosecuting innocent Chinese American scientists.

Then government abruptly dropped Sherry Chen’s case without explanation, apparently due to lack of credible facts and criminal intent.  However, she was wrongfully terminated from her job by the Department of Commerce for the same unfounded justifications.

The Chinese Exclusion Act and the internment of Japanese Americans have been among the most racist and discriminatory actions against Asian Americans.  Targeting an individual and then finding a crime to fit devastates the person and the entire community, violating the civil liberties all Americans value.

Dr. Jeremy Wu, Trustee of the Sherry Chen Legal Defense Fund, commented, “we must heal these wounds by voicing our concerns and fighting for fairness and justice to protect innocent people.  To help Sherry Chen is to help ourselves.”

Sherry Chen is continuing her fight – for fairness and justice – not just for herself but also the future generations of Asian Americans.  Join this cause and support by

  • Sharing Sherry Chen’s story to your friends and colleagues: Click to Tweet
  • Attending and reporting on the public hearing:

           http://www.sherrychendefensefund.org/mspb-hearing-sherry-chen-vs-doc.html

  • Donating to the Sherry Chen Legal Defense Fund:

          http://www.sherrychendefensefund.org/donate.html

About the Sherry Chen Legal Defense Fund
The Sherry Chen Legal Defense Fund was created in 2015 to receive donations and support Sherry Chen’s continuing fight to defend herself and seek fairness and justice for the broader community.  Visit http://www.sherrychendefensefund.org to learn more.

Media Contact:
Jeremy Wu, Ph.D.
Trustee, Sherry Chen Legal Defense Fund
Dfundschen2016@gmail.com

Home Security seminar by HCPD 

1 Comment

This Sunday, Howard County Police Department sent Mr. Eric Kruhm to gave us a seminar at Howard County Chinese School at Howard Community College about recent nice burglars targeted at Asian American families. Now burglars is using high-tech too. They were using google earth to identify Asian American families and compile a list for later break-in.

Here are some tips from the seminar:

  1. Put your valuable in a bank safe, instead at home. Now burglars steal the whole safe at home.
  2. Call 911 when you feel something suspicious. It is better for a false alarm than the home is broken-in.
  3. If you have a long vacation, ask your neighbors help and they can park their car on your driveway. Also ask police to have an area check.
  4. You can ask for online interpreter when call 911.
  5. Hide your valuables. Burglars usually have no time to search around, they just grap anything they see.

Support for Garmin Victims

I used to work at Garmin for a short period of time. I really enjoyed the work environment ,my team, and the middle of the country there. I heard the tragedy there and feel really sad about the status of the country.  We should unite and make the country better.

CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SUPPORTS THE CALL BY SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY FOR FULL INVESTIGATION OF OLATHE, KS SHOOTING
(FINAL)

The Chinese Community expresses its deepest condolences to Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his family, and its sympathy to Alok Madasani for the violent crime committed against them by suspect Adam Purinton in Olathe, Kansas. We also praised Ian Grillotan, a true American hero, who risked his life to protect others.

The shooting is now under federal and local investigation as a possible hate crime against two immigrants from India. It reminds the Chinese American community of the bitter memories of the 1982 killing of Vincent Jen Chin in the suburb of Detroit. Chin was mistaken as Japanese and was beaten to death by a Chrysler plant superintendent and his stepson. The killers were convicted of manslaughter through plea bargain, and served no jail time, with 3 year probation and $3,000 fine and were cleared of all federal civil rights charges.

Facing the increasing racial tension, hostility, and senseless killings of Asian Americans and other minorities, the Chinese American community supports the call by the South Asian American community for a full investigation of the Kansas shooting. We also urge the federal and local authorities to condemn the hate crime if it is proven to be the case.

The Chinese American community shall, as always, stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from every Asian American community. Together, we shall work with the government to confront the rising hatred and divisiveness across the country.

Inhumane and unbelievable of US visa application

2 Comments

I am trying to ask our elected officials to help with a visa application for a family whose son was brutally murmured in Bowie, Maryland. The victim’s family want to attended their son’s funeral and the US consular denied their visa application. Just read how the visa application was denied in five seconds, the process sometimes is inhumane and unbelievable wrong.

Our state senate Susan Lee called me back and offered to help. I really appreciate her effort.

Dear our elected Asian American Caucus,

(Their email is aapicaucus@senate.state.md.us)

We need your urgent help for a visa application.

There was a triple murder in Bowie, Maryland in January. The news is here:

http://wtop.com/prince-georges-county/2017/01/police-id-3-victims-in-homicide-at-bowie-restaurant/

I just heard that the victim’s family members of Mr. Jin Chen in China applied for visa to attend the funeral in Maryland and were denied the visa. They were thinking of applying for the visa again on this Friday (Feb 24) at the US consular at Guangzhou, China. It was reported that Chen’s family member was asked a question whether Mr. Chen was married.  After the family member replied with a “yes”, then the visa application was denied immediately. I just could not think of a situation like this. A visa to attend a family funeral in a terrible murder case was denied without any sound reasons.

 

Can any of you do something to help their family members to get a visa? You can write to the state department and the US consular at Guangzhou, China to express your support to grant a visa to Mr. Chen’s family member.  Such kind of letters usually help.

Thank you very much.

Dr. Chao Wu

A resident from Howard County, Maryland