Chinese American History Video Project for ASAMST 121 Class

ASAMST 121: Chinese American History, taught by Professor Harvey Dong, covers Chinese American history from 1848 to present. Topics include influence of traditional values, Eastern and Western; patterns of immigration and settlement; labor history; the influence of public policy, foreign and domestic, on the Chinese individual and community.

TEAM C: Honoring Tradition & Embracing Change: A Century of Service in San Francisco’s Square and Circle Club

Google Drive Link

As it approaches its centennial anniversary, the Square and Circle Club remains one of America’s most influential Chinese-American women’s groups. The secret to their longevity is their dedication to philanthropy, social justice, and their connection to San Francisco’s Chinese community. Emerging as an antidote to the oppressive environment for immigrants and wartime turmoil in the early 1920s, the club was a safe space for Chinese women to be involved politically, reconcile with their bicultural identities, serve the Chinese-American community, and venture into the public sphere in a time when it still wasn’t socially acceptable for a woman to do so. Through interviews with club officers who have kept the club’s legacy alive, this project explores how the Square and Circle Club has evolved alongside contemporary Chinese-American issues, how being a part of the club has impacted their lives, and their vision for the future of the organization.

CREDITS

Members: Alex Truong, Emily Wu, Angie Wu, Olivia Fong

Interviewees: Sharon Young, Kate Ikeda, Josephine Loo

Interviewers: Emily Wu, Alex Truong, Olivia Fong, Angie Wu

Editor: Alex Truong

TEAM D: Chinese Cuisine and the Chinese Diaspora

Google Drive Link

Chinese cuisine has a rich history and transformation in the United States from its introduction during the Gold Rush to its current status as a beloved and integral part of American cuisine. We explore how Chinese immigrants have adapted their culinary traditions in order to assimilate into American society and be accepted by the broader population. Through our research, we highlight how Chinese cuisine has played a crucial role in shaping Chinese American identity, with its success and reputation serving as a source of pride for the community. Chinese cuisine has also faced setbacks throughout its history such as discrimination and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our project emphasizes the importance of understanding and celebrating the diversity of Chinese cuisine and culture, particularly in light of these challenges. To gain further insight, we interview Cheuk Kwan, co-founder of The Asianadian and author of Have You Eaten Yet. Together, we discuss the history of Chinese cuisine in America, its evolution, and its significance to the Chinese American community.

CREDITS

Members: Stephanie Chang, Victor Louie, Alvin Lee, Sarah Peng

Interviewees: Cheuk Kwan

Interviewers: Stephanie Chang, Victor Louie, Alvin Lee, Dr. Harvey Dong

Editor: Stephanie Chang

TEAM E: Flo Oy Wong: From Angel Island to Modern Times

Dropbox Link

Angel Island’s history and the experiences of the Chinese American women who entered its gates illustrate the hardships and contributions of immigrants in the United States. Through exploring their identity, sense of belonging, and cultural heritage, Chinese American women have utilized poetry and art to express their experiences with immigrating and acculturating in the United States. Their work integrates elements of Chinese and American cultures, and highlights the challenges and opportunities of navigating multiple cultural identities. As a daughter of Chinese immigrants, Flo Oy Wong has learned how to navigate her Chinese American identity and express her family narrative through art.

CREDITS

Members: Sophia Chan, Fabiana Jung, Justin Nguyen

Interviewees: Flo Oy Wong

nterviewers: Sophia Chan, Fabiana Jung

Editor: Sophia Chan

TEAM F: East meets West: A History of the Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Asian Americans in US Healthcare

Dropbox Link

Description: In this documentary, we will be exploring how acceptance of Chinese medicine evolved throughout America’s history and consider the obstacles Asian Americans face from American healthcare today.

Profiles of Interviewees:

Dr. Tamara Venit-Shelton: Author of “Herbs and Roots: A History of Chinese Doctors in the American Medical Marketplace”, Historian of United States with a speciality in the social history of medicine, and Professor of History at Claremont McKenna College

Dr. Winston Tseng: Research professor in Community Health Sciences at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, Lecturer in the Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies Department at UC Berkeley

CREDITS

Members: Siqi Huang, Chang Ding, Sabrina Li, Tyler Lam

TEAM H: Chinese Music in the US: A Look into the Past and Today

Youtube Link

Dropbox Link

With this video, we asked the questions: What is the history of Chinese music, and how is its legacy honored today? How have immigrants brought over music from China? What forms (ie. opera, pingtan)? How did they practice it? Looking at the history of Chinese music both in China and the United States, one can see that Music is an important part of identity formation, as well as connecting with culture, especially within the Chinese/Chinese American community. The Berkeley Chinese Music Ensemble and Purple Silk Ensemble are examples that  honor and showcase the present of Chinese Music in the United States, highlighting the legacy of traditional Chinese music.

CREDITS

Members: Julieanna Guo, Gillian Gee, Abigail Delgado, Thomas Nguyen, Pranav Harikrishnan

Interviewers: Julieanna Guo

Editor: Julieanna

TEAM I: The Development of Chinese American Cuisine: How Chinese Food Has Evolved in America and the State of Chinese Food Today

Youtube Link

Dropbox Link

Chinese Food – With an average of over 3.35 million searches per month in the United States, it’s clear that Chinese food is one of the most popular cuisines in America. However, Chinese food has not always been all the dishes we know today; we all know about orange chicken, broccoli beef, and fried rice, but some of these dishes did not originate in China. In this video, we will explore the history and development of Chinese food, discuss “authenticity” in Chinese Cuisine, and reflect on the state of Chinese food today.

CREDITS

Members: Alec Xia, Andrew Du, Brandon Louie, Harris Thai

Interviewees: Cheuk Kwan, Randy (Made With Lau), SF Chinatown Delicious Dim Sum, and SF Chinatown Duk Hing Chinese Deli and Meat

Interviewers: Alec Xia, Andrew Du, Brandon Louie, Harris Thai

Editor: Alec Xia

TEAM J: Sharing the Stage: How the Grant Avenue Follies Created a Community Through Dance

Google Drive Link

Meet the Grant Avenue Follies: a dance group of women older than 65 years old located in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Fueled by their childhood interest in dance, these ladies decided to join the group and live out their dreams. Founder and leader Cynthia Yee, alongside other founding members, were dancers during Chinatown’s Golden Nightclub era, which started in the late 1930s. The Follies take inspiration in knowing age is not a limitation to start something new, and they fight against harmful stereotypes and social norms of Asian women. As a group, they perform various types of dance at the Asian Women Resource Center, Chinese Hospital fundraisers, VA Hospital, and many more venues that support the AAPI and senior community. The Follies have been able to take their act globally through performances in Cuba, Hawai’i, and China which allows them to spread their message to wider audiences.  Notably, they created the Gai Mou Sou rap to show solidarity with the younger Asian American community in the fight against anti-Asian hate. Come join us as we learn more about the history of Chinese women through the perspectives of the Follies exploring themes of gender roles, stereotypes, race, cultural beliefs, and unification.

CREDITS

Members: Frances Chai, Andy Huynh, Olivia Lee, An Nguyen, Jieyu (Jessica) Wang

Interviewees: Cynthia Yee , Pat Chin, Clara Hsu, Emily Wong Chin, Mimi Chin, Ruby Fong, Marleen Luke, Pat Nishimoto, Louise Owling, Avis See Tho

Interviewers: Frances Chai, Andy Huynh, Olivia Lee, Jieyu (Jessica) Wang