The CAA Chinese Chapter is a descendant of the Chinese Student Club formed over 100 years ago to help ethnic Chinese students overcome social and economic barriers while attending UC Berkeley. It is one of the oldest chapters of CAA's 75 chartered chapters.
In addition to organizing numerous events in the past, the Chinese Chapter has, along with its sister organization, the UC Chinese Alumni Foundation, endowed over 35 scholarships which are awarded annually to student leaders at Cal, by-far the most by any individual or organization at Cal.
The Chinese Chapter was awarded Alumni Chapter of the Year five times in the past (1984, 1988, 1994, 1997, and 2001) and has just been selected again as the 2018 Loyal Company Outstanding Volunteer Group (new name of the Alumni Chapter of the Year award) by the Cal Alumni Association.
The Chinese Chapter continues to sponsor social and professional gatherings on topics that support our members and those related to Chinese culture, current society and China's increasing role on the world stage.
View a short video about the Cal Alumni Association Chinese Chapter
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A CALL TO ACTION FOR CHANGE TO STEM ANTI-AAPI HATE
Each of Us Can Make a Difference
As incidents of anti-Asian violence continue to make news headlines, we are again reminded that despite the seeming progress that we have made as a society to coexist with understanding, acceptance, and tolerance, deep, systemic racism continues to exist in this country and that clearly more work needs to be done by all of us in order to overcome it.
The Chinese Chapter stands with the Cal Alumni Association and UC Berkeley in supporting the AAPI members of our community and in condemning acts of hate in all its forms. But condemnation alone is not enough. Just as thoughts and prayers for gun violence victims have yet to translate into common-sense gun legislation and denouncing police brutality has not brought about law enforcement reform, standing in solidarity in condemnation of acts of anti-Asian violence is a reactive response to crimes that have already been committed but does little to stem future acts of racial intolerance.
We at the CAA Chinese Chapter believe that creating the change that is needed to counter the tide of anti-Asian sentiment rests on three actions:
- Acknowledge that systemic racism exists. The belief that acknowledging racism exists is somehow un-American or unpatriotic is false. We cannot begin to make progress if we cannot even acknowledge that an issue exists. Not every chapter of our country’s history, especially when viewed through the enlightened lens of hindsight, contains things to be proud of. But denial of past mistakes or whitewashing them only breeds ignorance rather than serves as learning opportunities of how we can do better as individuals and as a nation. We urge everyone to acknowledge and discuss these hard issues in public and private.
- Education. Most K-12 school curriculum still contain only token mentions of Asian American history like the role of Chinese immigrants in the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century or the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. It is no wonder then that anti-Asian sentiment can be so easily weaponized when the average American knows so little about the Asian American experience that they are ill equipped – they literally do not know better – to consume what they see, hear and read about Asians on social media, mainstream news and other sources in a more informed manner. It is a natural reaction to hate, objectify and demonize what you don’t know and don’t understand. Only by educating future leaders and influencers during their most formative years about how integral the immigrant experience is to the fabric of this nation can we begin to bridge the cultural chasm in our society. We applaud the recent California State Board of Education’s historic approval to provide guidance for ethnic studies curriculum in high schools. It’s a step in the right direction. We also encourage everyone to educate yourself as well as those you come in contact with.
- Tone down the hateful rhetoric. While it’s tough to pin culpability and trace causality, one can’t help but think that the charged rhetoric used by former President Donald Trump and other lawmakers when referring to COVID-19 as “the China virus” or “kung-flu” helped embolden anti-Asian sentiments and the ensuing violence. We implore those in positions of power, influence, and authority to refrain from using their bully pulpit to enflame negative sentiment or steer unfavorable public opinion toward any group.
More now than ever, each of us can, and must, do our part to effect change. More now than ever, one person CAN make a difference and, collectively, we CAN strive to make America safer and more inclusive for everyone.
Fiat Lux.
CAA Chinese Chapter
GET INVOLVED
Here is a list of resources for advocacy and action at local and national levels.
- STOPAAPIHATE.ORG
- STANDAGAINSTHATRED.ORG
- ADVANCINGJUSTICE-AAJC.ORG
- HATEISAVIRUS.ORG
=== March 18, 2021 Note from Chancellor Carol Christ ===
We’re united in support of our Asian American community members
Dear Campus Community,
Today we join together with millions of people around our country and the world to condemn the horrific and senseless violence in Georgia that took the lives of eight innocent people. On behalf of our campus community, I want to extend our profound condolences and support to the victims’ relatives, friends and colleagues.
Six of the eight victims were of Asian descent, and all but one were women. While the investigation into the shooter’s motives and intentions is ongoing, there are understandable, legitimate fears that the victims were targeted because of their race and/or their gender. There is research indicating that women account for a significant majority of the victims of violence against Asian Americans, a deeply disturbing phenomenon that we must as a society consider and confront. Hate-driven crimes that target individuals because of their ethnicity, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, other identities or beliefs, only broadens and deepens the impact of these heinous acts.
I am particularly concerned because the shootings in Georgia come in the wake of hateful and utterly unprovoked attacks against Asians and Asian Americans in the Bay Area and beyond. In fact, earlier this week two women of Asian descent were subject to abuse and harassment while waiting in line at the University Village food pantry.
We have spoken out before, and we speak out now to express our solidarity and support. Even as we seek to build and sustain a campus community where everyone feels welcome, respected and safe. We also must stand and work together with all who believe in and are committed to a peaceful, equitable world where justice is pursued.
We also extend our support and sympathy to members of our own community who have been affected by this terrible news as well as events closer to us. We especially extend our support and sympathy to members of University Village.
For those who may be in need, here a few helpful resources:
For students, find where to get support and make a report：
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cEIaYZUDl5htyo1ToQ0LOlzYfj6t-gbcyC3Q...
Asian Pacific American Student Development-( APASD) offers advising and programming for Asian American, Pacific Islander, South Asian, Southwest Asian, and North African(AA/PI/SSWANA) communities.
https://cejce.berkeley.edu/apasd
Counseling and Psychological Services for Asian Pacific Islander Students (CAPS) is resource listing counselors who specialize in working with AAPI students.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QPZmm9hSxrYH44Gm55H-uM91MVqfLlEJ/view
CAPS also hosts a weekly discussion and support space for AAPI students. Students are welcome to drop-in.
https://aaads.berkeley.edu/events/aapi-drop-in-wellness-hours/
Employee Assistance is available to any staff member who would like to talk to a counselor.
https://uhs.berkeley.edu/bewellatwork/employee-assistance
Stop AAPI Hate tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide.
Learn how you can help when you see incidents of hate, violence, and harassment through Bears that CARE - our active bystander training.
Notice (and point out to your friends) the Emergency “Blue Light” Telephone stations located around campus. These can be used to notify UCPD that assistance is needed. If you need help, dial 911 or use a blue light emergency phone (located throughout the campus and identified by a blue light on top of the phone box or column).
Sincerely,
Carol T. Christ
Chancellor
