CHCP Speaker Series: "Citizen Wong: Portraying the First Asian American Civil Rights Leader" (Sept 20 & 22)

“CITIZEN WONG”: PORTRAYING THE FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER

South Bay Performances and Panels on 9/20 and 9/22

To recognize and celebrate Constitution Week, September 17-23, the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project presents Richard Chang’s dramatic portrayal of Wong Chin Foo (1847-1898), the first Asian American civil rights leader. Each solo performance will be followed by a panel discussion with Bay Area scholars, historians, and activists. The events explore Chinese immigrants' experiences in the 19th Century.

• Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 PM, County of Santa Clara Board Chambers (70 W. Hedding Street, San Jose) - FREE - No Registration Required - For Parking: see NOTE below
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• Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 PM, Saratoga Public Library (13650 Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga) - FREE - REGISTER HERE (If full, please join Wait List for possible openings)

Santa Clara County Supervisor and Board Vice President Otto Lee said, “As we celebrate Constitution Day on September 17, I’m pleased that it aligns with the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project’s work honoring Wong Chin Foo’s legacy. For 287 years, the U.S. Constitution, as the founding document of the world’s oldest democracy, has protected the rights of the overlooked and forgotten. As an early naturalized Chinese immigrant, Wong Chin Foo was a pioneer in Asian American civil rights, paving the way for others while fighting against the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Geary Act of 1892. His story reminds us of our responsibility to continue his legacy and fight against Asian hate.” 

ABOUT THE PANELISTS

Friday's panelists:

• Russell Jeung, PhD (SFSU Professor of Asian American Studies and founder of ‘Stop Anti-Asian Hate’)
• Connie Young Yu (Activist, historian, lecturer, and author who has written about Asian Americans for over a half century in a number of books, articles, anthologies, and documentaries)
• Vivien Leung, PhD (Santa Clara University Professor of Political Science)
• Paul Fong (former CA State Assemblymember, DeAnza & Evergreen Colleges Professor of Political Science, and SJSU Asian American Studies faculty)

Sunday's panelists:

• Yvonne Kwan, PhD (SJSU Asst. Professor of Asian American Studies and Lead for ‘The AAPI Perspectives Oral History Project’)
• Barbara Voss, PhD (Stanford Professor of Anthropology and affiliate with the Program on Asian American Studies)
• Connie Young Yu (Activist, historian, lecturer, and author who has written about Asian Americans for over a half century in a number of books, articles, anthologies, and documentaries)
• Loan Le (SFSU Asst. Professor of Asian American Studies)

ABOUT RICHARD CHANG

Playwright-actor and journalist Richard Chang has spent two decades researching the forgotten Gilded Age writer-lecturer Wong Chin Foo, who coined and defined the term “Chinese American” and wielded pen and pulpit to fight the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first U.S. law to bar persons from entry based exclusively on nationality. “Wong defied stereotypes and showed all immigrants and refugees that we belong here in this country. He fought for equality when Asians were seen as unassimilable,” said Chang. Chang founded the ‘Citizen Wong Project’ to revive Wong Chin Foo into public consciousness and change the narrative of AAPIs (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) in mainstream America. Chang is a multi-hyphenate storyteller whose works reflect his background as a Chinese-Malaysian performer in Asian and Western theater, dance and opera, puppetry, and improv comedy. Performances are directed by Peter Kuo, Director of the Conservatory, American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco.

NOTE:

The most convenient parking for the Sept. 20 event is the public parking lot on the West side of the large building located at 70 W. Hedding St. Enter the parking lot from N. San Pedro St. and enter the Building from Entrance B.

There is also an employee staff parking lot across the street from 70 W. Hedding. If you park there, come into the Building using Entrance A.

It is OK to park in the employee staff parking lot after 5pm, even though the signs say staff parking only.

Click on map to enlarge.