China to America

Over the weekend, I was able to meet up with some family friends. One of which is a second generation Chinese American immigrant and I was able to find out about some of his experiences (yes, I realize the Chinese-American unit was so three weeks ago but deal with it).

                My friend’s father came to America through a sponsorship program in 1963 where he came from a small village in China to become a housekeeper to a farmer. He earned a living of $25 a month and much of that would go back to his family. For a short time in 1969 he went back to China for an arranged marriage to a city girl. When they returned, they opened up a restaurant where they could get by not knowing the language and depending on themselves rather than other sources of work. The couple asked some Caucasian “friends” to give them more American names. They were dubbed Chuck Eng and Chew Eng (how cruel is that?!?).  Chuck and Chew never fully learned English. The language barrier is a problem when talking to their family (including Martin who I interviewed and never was taught Chinese). Chuck sometimes uses a machine to talk into and translate his Chinese into English.  

                As a second generation, Martin was not exempt to experiencing racism. He learned not to go to certain areas and especially small towns such a Colfax, which was the last place in the US to have a lynching post.

                Martin dated and ended up marrying a white woman named Janette. His parents were very unhappy at this news. If they had settled in a larger area with other Chinese he would have likely followed their wishes. Their miscegenation was not only looked down upon by Martin’s family, but also society. Like one part we read in Takaki (pg 324-325), Janette and Martin could not get waited on in small town restaurants.

                Even their half Chinese daughters experience racism. A few years ago, the neighbor kids who grew up with Jade and Jasmine Eng told the girls they weren’t allowed to play with “gooks” anymore.

                The family still keeps some Chinese traditions and beliefs. They celebrate Chinese New Year and are given red envelopes. They also have to be cautious about buying a house. They cannot buy a house where they can see a graveyard close by because the spirits can come to your house. Buying a house at the end of a coldisac is also taboo because the negative energy gets trapped there. I like how Janette respects these customs and how Martin and the Children, although assimilated, still partake in their heritage.