The Musem of Chinese in America in New York formally reopened last Sept. 22, sporting a new look and a new interesting exhibit you might want to check out.
Other than displaying the successes of prominent American-Chinese, it is also interesting to watch out for the 2 themes presented: The transition in the Chinese-Americans' own vision of their place in America, and other Americans' evolving perceptions of the Chinese.
Prof. James Bergquist wrote a Wall Street Journal article analyzing these as can be learned from the Museum. He tells of the conflicts earlier Chinese Americans experienced, such as stereotyping from other Americans. He also notes that internal conflicts have also risen inside Chinese American communities, especially in relation to siding with the politics in the Mainland.
I'm imaging it would be interesting to go there and see the stories for yourself. The new building is at 215 Centre St. in New York (the former one, at 70 Mulberry St., continues to hold research archives). Prof. Bergquist notes "The Museum of Chinese in America exhibit gives us a better understanding of many of these complexities of the Chinese-American story, although it perhaps softens its account of the internal tensions within Chinatown by focusing instead on those issues which united Chinese Americans."
Chinese-Am Veteran Actor Still Waiting for Asians to Break in to Hollywood
We may not be able to connect the name with the face, but veteran actor James Hong has been a steady fixture in the movies, theater and TV shows. We have been watching him since the Flower Drum Song with Nancy Kwan, to the pilot episode of Kung Fu with David Carradine, even amused our kids with his voice roles in Mulan and Kung Fu Panda.
Recent articles feature James Hong's musings on Hollywood's total acceptance of the Chinese. 80-year old James is definitely a veteran, acting in over 500 movies and shows. Yet, he has never really played the lead. He is still hoping that Asians will get to play lead roles as much as the Latinos and Blacks that have broken in to the limelight. CanWest News quotes Hong, ``There are so many series with black actors as leads. So why in heaven aren't there some Chinese-American series on television? There are so many good stories and situations that would make a good sitcom or drama, but it's just not being done.''
In Silicon Valley the percentage of Asian execs and board members is way below the percentage in the work force.
Per the article, possible reasons include:
Cultural deference to superiors, which U.S. managers may view as a worker lacking confidence or knowledge
Lack of strong English skills
Failure to invest enough effort in networking.
While East Asian cultures and educational systems tend to encourage technical excellence and respect for authority, they may not do as good a job developing leadership and communication skills per Gee and Hom
"The culture says you don't have to raise your hand — just do a good job," Hom said.
Some clues... Time usage on page 19 of the study. Less time on sports (.55 hours per week vs. 18 hours), more time on reading, music (30 minutes vs. 5 minutes per day), music lessons (60 minutes per week vs 8 weeks).
So how does my daughter compare to this? She's at 120 minutes per week of music lessons :-)
Sexting, where under age kids send graphic photos to each other is just the latest addition to a teacher's potential list of nightmares! The photo is considered child pornography and if a teacher or school administrator handles the situation wrongly, their career is gone.
Being a teacher to me is very scary, for it's so easy for a parent or student to ruin your career, especially if your male. A 60 year old High School Assistant Principal Mr. Ting Li Oei (Chinese American), who as part of an investigation had a student forward a picture to his cell phone so he could get it to his computer spent a year of being accused of child abuse and child pornography due to his lack of paranoia and technical savvy had the charges thrown out, but unfortunately his family savings have been depleted defending himself ($150,000), and not to mention the stress on him and his wife. My Students. My Cellphone. My Ordeal. - Washington Post. A site, Help Support Ting-Yi Oei where donations can be made.
The decision to take an American name when you come to the US is a big decision. Some people just go with nicknames, such as a Shellane will become a Dave. The only headache is on pay day, where the poor payroll department has the check made out to Shellane Chang for example, where everybody knows them by Shellang Chang. My Mother who did payroll has many similar stories. Another one was at a Christmas party they had a drawing based on the names from payroll, so when the CEO called the name, nobody, not even the person knew who that was. His supervisor finally pointed it out (the person was not expecting his real name to be called).
Other people will in their legal name use an American name as their middle name to avoid issues. I understand some of my wife's cousins have done this. Others choose an American name as a nickname, the problem is some names with unfortunate assocations can be chosen. I could go with examples here, but anything I write will get me in trouble. Bottom line is it's important to check with a couple of Americans before choosing an American name. Same idea as picking a child's name, my wife and I made picking our daughter's name into a big project (our requirements were one that is not that popular, but not to unique, good meaning, and can be easily pronounced by Chinese speakers). If you are thinking of getting a tattoo of a Chinese Character, have a native or two Chinese speaker double check to make sure you are not getting one you will regret, or is in the opposite of Chinglish. Would that be EngChin?
My opinion is immigrants if possible should keep their native name, since it has a lot of meaning. With Chinese, if they change their last name to an American one, that is pretty strange. I know of only one person who did that, and their reason was it helps in traveling to China. My wife's comments on this were sure... Her guess was a bankruptcy or something.
This was just in the news, where a Texas Representative said foreigners should get an American name for easier pronunciation. That person is now apologizing... Texas rep apologies for remarks on Asian names - Asssociated Press.
I find it interesting that the Feynman Lectures kept him in physicals. I was lucky enough in summer school in High School to have attended a guest lecture by Mr. Feynman, he explained relativity using a frying pan simile.
There are 50-60 American citizens in Jail for economic crimes who are ethnic Chinese
Translation if your ethnic Chinese, the Chinese have no problem putting you in jail and it may be an issue of who has more power locally.
Hearsay/Urban Legends...
Many stories of Taiwanese who go to China, divorce Taiwanese wife, marry Chinese wife and start a business in China. Business does well so the husband has time in the US or Taiwan. They go back and the business is gone, or the Chinese wife has filed a lawsuit, or they get thrown in jail until they pay ex-amount of money.
Taiwanese American goes to China on business, and gets locked up in Jail. Ex Girl friend (Chinese), then goes to ex-wife and tells her husband is in Jail and needs $4 Million due to some business problem, and the ex husband's business has no money in it. Currently money request is at $1 Million. Ex Wife (Taiwanese) said we are divorced, sorry. Father says I already gave away my money to my two sons. Brother contacts US embassy who confirms person is in jail due to business reasons.
Taiwanese moves to China, divorces first wife, marries a Chinese. Does really well for 3 months, then new wife and his business partner make some type of deal and he ends up in debt and flees the country. Business and all money was taken by wife and partner.
The article talks about the challenges a NY School district that has become mostly Asian has attracting Chinese and Korean parents to school activities such as the PTA. I see this at my daughter' school some, but not with performances. Those are packed when the Orchestra lets the parents know about them enough in advance. Same day notice has issues...
At my daughter' school, the Chinese Parents Association is super organized and does a better job of serving the parents needs than any other group. From seminars on getting into great colleges to SAT score information etc. It's a shame the school does not provide this.
What this shows is the diversity of the Chinese Community in the US
And for those into politics and the English language - interesting article -Jerry Brown's wording may trip up Prop. 8. Jerry Brown is one of the most interesting California politicians, I heard him speak when I was living in the Bay Area. The secretary of Commerce speaking, William Daley, and Jerry Brown came in and stole the show. It was lunch speaker series at my work. I still have a cup from his time as Governor, Brown is Green - from my Aunt to my Father, and it's mine by eminent domain ;-)
