The Cover Photo of CHSA Annual Journal

This 1970 photograph I took will grace the cover photo for CHSA's CHINESE AMERICA: HISTORY & PERSPECTIVES --THE JOURNAL OF THE CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA  Published annually since 1987This is a photo I took back in 1970 when I first began photography seriously while I was a senior at Galileo high school of San Francisco.  This was a spontaneous protest on the eve of the lunar new year.

The year before a petition circulated among students requesting that the lunar new year (aka Chinese New Year) be a school holiday.  The principal reacted by saying that we are to bring a note to school to be excused or be marked absent. 

The following year, a special scheduled lunar new year assembly was canceled which angered many of the students.  Participants of the assembly defiantly brought the lion dance with its drums and gongs into the courtyard of the school demanding the new year be a school holiday.  The dancing lion led the students on a march to the board of education with the demand.  Where again we were told that we had bring a note to be excused or marked absent from school.  

The following lunar new year day, many students did not come to school nor brought a note.  Today the lunar new year is an official day off for San Francisco public schools.**** My images from this event was published in the newspapers.   What a thrill it was for me to see my works published.  A thrill which continues to this day.  Unfortunately, CHSA is not paying me for the use of this photo.  A un-thrill that continues to this day.