| 【時報訊】
因著令狐萍教授英文著作「聖路易的華人」(Chinese St. Louis- From Enclave to Cultural
Community)一書的出版，聖路易華人社區逐漸受到主流媒體的重視，繼聖路易郵訊報專訪後，令狐萍教授於7月5日上午十一時至十二時，接受了KWMU90.7
電臺(國家公共電臺)之專訪，闡述聖路易華人社區之「文化社區」的形成和華人社區過去和現在對聖路易社區之貢獻，陪同令狐萍教授接受專訪的還有華裔企業家黃卓寅(Thomas
Wong)先生。
KWMU90.7電臺係設在密蘇里大學內之國家公共電臺，5日專訪當天的主持人為前副州長Harriett Woods女士。「聖路易的華人」作者Truman州立大學歷史系令狐萍教授在專訪中表示，聖路易城區最早的中國城(Chinatown)，也叫作Hop
Alley，係於1966年時因改建布希球場而拆除。隨著時間，華人社區逐漸成長擴大到聖路易郊區和西郡，狹義的「中國城」已被廣義的「文化社區」(Cultural
Community)取代。
所謂文化社區，就是由中文學校、教會、各社團組織和各個社區活動相結合而融成一個強力意識形態上的社區，這在每年的中華日活動中最能展現社區的文化意識。
令狐萍教授強調華人教會是文化社區中重要的基礎結構，教會使得美華社區更形穩固，她建議對華裔社區文化傳統有興趣的各界人士可以去看看中文學校、華人教會並參與中華日的活動，對於一般主流社會對華人的印象始終停留在經營餐館和洗衣店舊形象上面，令狐萍教授說，這種現象雖已不復存在，但是餐飲業仍然是美華社區經濟中重要的一環。
華裔企業家，前美華協會會長黃卓寅在專訪中表示，聖路易社區有許多像他一樣的年輕企業家勤奮努力工作。他說，在Olive大道一帶中國城的推動和發展，現在大家有目共睹，曾任美華協會會長，黃卓寅也提到華人社區、社團積極伸出雙手，與其他族裔社團族裔合作，共同展現聖路易地區多元文化風采。
「聖路易的華人」一書，於2004年出版後，在聖路易地區獲得很大的迴響，作者令狐萍教授應邀演講的行程有7月25日下午六時半至八時半在聖路易市立圖書館Carrenter分館(3309
S. Grand Blvd.)演講，9月7日中午八時至十二時在密蘇里大學(Room SSB 331)國際研究中心演講及10月15日在聖市西郡雙樹大旅館舉行之美中西區華人學術聯誼會年會。如欲購買「聖路易的華人」一書，可電1-800-6212736
(Temple University出版)，書號1-59213-039-9或至聖路易時報(314)432-3858購買，現書供應，每本定價22.95元，運費4.5元。「聖路易的華人」是您及子女瞭解聖路易華人社區之最佳讀物，也是致贈美國友人之最佳禮物。
On July 5, 2005, KWMU 90.7 radio station (St. Louis's NPR station
in University of Misouri-St. Louis) invited Dr. Huping Ling ,
Professor of History at Truman State University, and Mr. Thomas
Cy Wong, the Managing Director of St. Louis Capital, to appear
on its Talk Show, St. Louis On The Air featuring "Chinese
Community in St. Louis." The show was running from 11am to
12 noon and hosted by Ms. Harriett Woods, the former Lieutenant
Governor of Missouri. The talk show focused on Dr. Ling's recent
book Chinese St. Louis: From Enclave to Cultural Community (Philadelphia:
Temple University Press, 2004), in order to promote the Chinese
American community in St. Louis.
In the show, Dr. Ling enthusiastically praised the St. Louis
Chinese American community's contribution to American society
both in the past and the present. "The old Chinatown, or
Hop Alley, which existed till 1966 when it was leveled for the
construction of Busch Stadium, was a vital and vibrant community...
it was tightly-knit and productive... according to my interview
with Lillie Hong," said Dr. Ling on the show. Dr. Ling mentioned
that since the 1960s, the Chinese American population, more than
20,000 presently, has scattered throughout the suburban municipalities,
however, the new "Cultural community," the concept she
developed in the book, constituted by the Chinese language schools,
churches, and community organizations and activities sponsored
by them, has fostered a strong sense of community, which is highly
"embodied in the Chinese 飈ultural Days'."
Mr. Wong emphasized that "we have shifted our paradigm. The
Asian communities have earned their badges." As the past
president of the Organization of Chinese Americans, Mr. Wong said
the community organizations are collaborating with other ethnic
groups to promote the multicultural environment while protecting
the interests of Chinese Americans.
In responding to Ms. Woods question on how to help the new immigrants,
Dr. Ling highly commended the significant role the International
Institute of Metro St. Louis in helping new immigrants get settled
and adjust to new life. She said that both the larger society
and the ethnic communities have tried hard to reach out to each
other, in order to understand the differences and to integrate.
Several callers responded to the show by sharing their experiences
and interactions with individual members of the Chinese American
community. Caller Andy recalled his acquaintance with Wing Leong
and wondered if the Leongs are still in St. Louis. Dr. Ling recalled
her interview of Annie Leong, sister of Wing Leong, and how accidently
she got connected with Annie Leong's niece in Chicago after the
release of her book. Callers praised Annie Leong's role as an
effective ambassador of Chinese community. Caller Robert, age
79, said Annie Leong was the "most magnificent person I have
met." Dr. Ling responded that "Annie Leong, as the spokesperson
of Chinatown, represented the Chinese community very well."
Mr. Wong commented that "we need to have more Annie Leongs.
If we have more Annnie Leongs, the community will be more accepted."
Mr. Wong mentioned the Chinese businesses along Olive Blvd. and
the need for the development of a Chinatown. Dr. Ling concurred
that although the old sterotypes of Chinese as restauranturers
and laundrymen are no more, but the Asian restaurants remain an
important sector of the Chinese American ethnic economy. A caller
asked about investment opportunity in Chinese community. Mr. Wong
replied that it takes all personality and intercultural collaboration.
Mr. Wong said he had seen many young Asian entrepreneurs who wanted
to be their own bosses and worked very hard, and he is willing
to help them.
Dr. Ling also emphasized that Chinese churches are important
infrastructure of the cultural community to stabilize the Chinese
American community. She suggested those who are interested in
Chinese heritage to visit Chinese language schools, churches,
and particularly the "China Days" to learn Chinese cultures.
Woods announced that the County Library has established a Chinese
section for interested readers. She ended the show by encouraging
listeners to read Ling's book and get out of one's own community
to know each other.
Ms. Mary Edwards, the Production Manager of KWMU, Mr. Walter
Ko, a community activist, Dr. Mohammad Samiullah, Professor of
Physics at Truman State University and Ling's husband, and Isaac
Ling, the younger son of Ling were also present at the event.
The upcoming events on Dr. Huping Ling's book are as follows:
- 1. Carpenter Branch of St. Louis City Public Library (3309
S. Grand Blvd) in conjunction with the International Institute's
Festival of Nation, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, July 25, 2005.
- Center for International Studies, the University of Missouri-St.
Louis (Room SSB 331), form 11am to 12noon, September 7, 2005.
- the 22nd Annual Conference of the Midwest Chinese American
Science & Technology Association (MCASTA 2005), Doubletree
Hotel in St. Louis, MO, October 15, 2005.
To order a copy of the book, interested readers can contact Temple
University Press, c/o Chicago Distribution Center, 11030 S. Langley
Ave., Chicago, IL 60628; Call toll-free 1-800-621-2736 or fax
1-800-621-8476; www.temple.edu/tempress (paper $22.95 ISBN 1-59213-039-9;
shipping: $4.5 for first book, $1.00 each additional) or contact
Dr. Ling. For more info, please call St. Louis Chinese American
at 314/432-3858 or visit http://www.scanews.com/2004/aug/s729/book/index.html.
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