Remembering the Contributions and Sacrifices Chinese Americans Have Made to America ... A Time To Give Back

By Sam Chu Lin

During a relaxing moment, a reporter colleague joked, "I think I know only 
two things about Asian Americans.  The Chinese helped to build the 
Transcontinental Railroad, and Japanese Americans were put into the camps 
during World War II." In a more serious tone of voice, he quickly added, 
"I'm sure they've done a lot more for this country, but I really can't 
pinpoint what those contributions are."
 
Following a recent visit to a medical clinic, a nurse that I have known 
for years asked, "Why do Chinese, who consider themselves Americans, 
insist on using Chinese calligraphy above English words in identifying 
their businesses?"Cautiously phrasing her words, she attempted to answer 
her own question."Many of them are probably new immigrants, and they're 
still going through the transition period of becoming Americans. It's 
impressive to see how hard they work, but it's disturbing when they have a 
"take-it-all" attitude and fail to 'give back.'"

On returning from one of my [Wen Ho Lee]t-related news assignments, a
television segment producer commented, "So 
many Asian Americans support the former Los Alamos scientist, but I still 
think he might have been a spy for China. What do you think?"  I quickly 
responded, "The judge in the case apologized to Lee for the way he was 
treated. He was kept in solitary confinement for nine months.  I've 
covered this story extensively, and many of his supporters, including 
Asian Americans, feel he was racially stereotyped, denied due process, and 
there was a media frenzy to convict him."

After reading some Wen Ho Lee stories that I had recommended, the 
writer/TV producer stopped me in a hallway one day and exclaimed, "Thanks 
for those articles!  I now have a better understanding of what happened. 
If the Chinese got the nuclear secrets from us, there were plenty of other 
sources that weren't even checked out." My co-worker was surprised to 
learn that many Chinese Americans across the country were fearful they 
could be stereotyped and suspected of being a spy for China as well. When 
a crippled American reconnaissance plane made an emergency landing on 
China's [Hainan Island]t following an air collision, another friend said
he was disgusted to learn 
that some radio disc jockeys had telephoned Chinese American restaurants 
and joked ethnically about the incident.

At its 2001 national convention in Washington, D.C., the Committee of 100 
announced at a news conference the disturbing findings of a new national 
survey that analyzed the feelings of mainstream Americans towards Chinese 
and other Asian Americans.   Among its conclusions, many people believe 
that Asian Americans are more loyal to their mother countries.  They stick 
to themselves as a community.   Many of those surveyed say they would not 
vote for an Asian American running for President of the United States. It 
was disappointing, but it was no surprise to hear some of my colleagues 
and friends offer a critical assessment of Chinese and other Asian 
Americans.   Those feelings simply reflected the conclusions of the 
Committee of 100's national study.  (Part 1 of 3)