The Dream Lives On

i am sure you all watched the inauguration.......certainly a very special event...one showing the world what freedom and democracy are about.  Hail to the Chief.....President Obama!! It is a big step toward making the dream of American Forefathers truly be possible for everyone.  I remember once asking my Cal Wushu students whether they had ever felt Asians were discriminated against.................many of them felt that that was something only the Afro-Americans faced.....that was in the past.  The truth be said.....one should check out our past so you know where we have been and where we have to go.  Here are a few things just from my lifetime.......my father fought in WWII..............as  a member of the Flying Tigers that fought in Burma against the Japanese...............few people know though that during the trip to the Pacific front the Chinese Volunteers were told they could not excercise with the white soldiers on deck and would have to be confined below deck............my father and another Chinese soldier after many requests to go above deck......decided that they would not allow this to continue.....picked up the Sargeant at arms and threw him below deck and led the Chinese soldiers above deck.........after fighting the war and returning to the United States we lived in Chinatown in Oakland and San Francisco........and even in those days there were many places you could not moved to.....Chinese were not allowed in North Beach........or even Berkeley..........my father was told many times that a house was available and when he got there...it was mysteriously sold.............when we moved into Berkeley...we were one of the first non white family to live there......on the back of our deed it says this home is not to be sold to a non-white.................my mother, told me to after the war we had to wear a pin saying we are not Japanese....so as not to be attacked in the streets of San Francisco.............when I was a kid the popular game was Ching Chong Chinamen............kill the Chinese Communist........I of course was the Chinamen..............I remember that very clearly....because my father told me then never let anyone disrespect you....because that  disrespect what America is about.....we came to this country for the promise of equality and freedom....something all people wish for and seek.  My father then went to my school and demanded that the school put an end to playing Ching chong Chinamen....and that they respect us as Chinese Americans.....and remember our contributions to this country.  Even as late as the mid 80's when I was teaching school in Chinatown....I took my class to the DeYoung Museum...........my students were all Chinese............I was told by White Visitors to take my students and go back to China.........I told them we are Americans.........and you are here only at the grace of the Native Americans.  Yesterday we took a step to truly recognize everyone....it is the diversity of America that makes it strong, it is the dream that brings the best and brightest to it's shores.  To tell you the truth I have not had a sense of hope like this since President Kennedy........President Obama is taking the middle road and reaching out to everyone.....even us non-believers......which many Asians are...Buddhist or Taoist.  We have come a long ways............keep in mind we still have a ways to go..............with hope our future is bright.  Finally, I thought it was important for Obama to point out that this country will meet it's challenges only if we all participate in the process.........volunteer in your community to help change things!!

Well, please all have a nice day...gotta go!!