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From the Preface --
I am the father of four middle-aged
second-generation Chinese Americans. Often, when discussing family
history with other members of this generation, the discussion would end
in moments of dead silence, followed by remorse. These adult children
feel regret for never knowing about the lives and experience of their
now-deceased parents. Some tried, but were not successful at obtaining
information about the lives of their parents, the first-generation
Chinese Americans. Members of this older generation who came to work in
the United States from the southern Chinese villages were reluctant to
discuss their past with anyone, including their own children. The
villagers from Taishan were reluctant to reveal aspects of their
“disgraceful” past. The definition of “disgraceful” in this context is
very vague; aspects of life such as labor class, socio-economic class,
and level of or lack of education were considered “disgraceful”. The
majority of these first generation Chinese Americans worked as laborers
or farmers, lacked formal education and came from the lower
socio-economic classes, similar to many of the ethnic minorities in the
United States today.
Communication barriers existed
between parents and children. Immigrant parents spoke in their native
Taishan dialect while their offspring understood little or none of this
native language. Open and frank discussions between the two generations
were difficult or rarely happened.
I spent my childhood and the majority
of my school years in Hong Kong and southern Mainland China during World
War II. I witnessed and observed many local customs, traditions and
practices. What follows is a compilation of my experiences and a
description of my journey from Hong Kong, via our village in Taishan
County, to the United States. I hope that by recording this knowledge,
my grandchildren and other second-generation Chinese Americans will gain
a better understanding of their heritage and the lives of their
ancestors in Hong Kong, Taishan County and Canton during the 20th
century. Perhaps, other second-generation Chinese Americans will
identify with my family’s story, and it will lead them to learn more
about their family’s past.
Many of the customs and traditions
described here are no longer practiced and have become obsolete. When
possible, I have included pictures to help clarify, provide detail and
create a permanent record for the reader.
Blurbs and reviews --
“Sam’s life journey
has certainly made my journey easier. Coming to this country at the
age of six and growing up with non-English speaking parents have made
the search for my roots a challenge. Your memoirs have managed to
clarify what it means to be Taisanese and given me a greater respect
for the traditions and beliefs of this community. My appreciation for
your very personal touch to putting into words what no one has been
able to do for me up to this point.”
—Ginny Gong (arrived in 1954), OCA National
President, Host of “Ginny’s….where East meets West”
“Sam Wong has wonderfully woven Chinese history and Chinese
American history as lived through by his family. Recording our own
history, especially Chinese American history, is so critical since it
is not in the American history books taught by our schools. The reader
receives a duel history lesson in the most enjoyable publication.”
—Daphne Kwok, Executive Director, Angel Island
Immigration Station Foundation, and Former Executive Director,
Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)
About the Author --
Sam Wong was born May 2,
1928 in Hong Kong, He was a student in Hong Kong, Taishan, and Canton
during the years of the Sino-Japanese War and World War II. He
immigrated to the United States seeking higher education and financial
opportunity. He worked for the Navy Department until his retirement in
1993.
Sam Wong
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