80-20, PBS series, ...

Having viewed the recent PBS series "Chinese in America", we should be warned that if the present generation does not learn lessons from the past, history would very well repeat itself.

As a people group, we Chinese have not really taken roots of life in America. In fact we constantly think of ourselves as temporary residents, and not really belonging to this country. We still view ourselves belonging to China. (Though strictly speaking our roots are in the Chinese people as a race, but we confuse the nation with the people all too often.)

And a temporary attitude, much like the difference between living in an apartment which you may intend to move out any year, and living in your own house, is how you use your energy for designing a way of life that you intend for the long run, and in the case of living in America: a lifestyle that would last generations.

So our previous generations have not lay out much foundation for future generation (though we cannot deny the fact that they have done their best to survive amidst all the adversities). If this generation (both the highly educated scholars who remained as a result of June 4, or the labor-then-immigration masses who mostly now live in metropolitan areas) does not consciously construct a foundation for future generations, then we as a people will continue to face crisis, and at the mercy of the whims of others (politicians, interest groups, etc.)

We all have experienced, especially the scholars who are now employed in various high-paying positions by various companies in the US, that though we have both the intellect and wealth, we are still struggling in life, with our high bills and taxes, that leave us not much time for anything outside of bare survival. It is jobs and kids, not much else.

In fact, any salary-job in the US is a deadend, that we constantly feel inadequate in our life, as if there is more to this life than this job. So unless we make it a point to deal with the issue seriously, we will not be able to depend even on this group to make a difference in terms of setting up the foundations for generations to build on.

After all, the natural instinct of self preservation would tend to keep busy people (and we are all busy) focusing on short-sighted benefits and personal goals, rather than the more idealistic social goals.

In fact, all social problems is a case of the prisoner dilemma, whether in political unity, or the simple economics of having a group to get group rates. Yet in all these cases, to achieve the optimal solution, there is the absolute need for leadership, that someone or some group comes out and stake the claim, and lead others to join them in achieving the optimal goal. Otherwise, the sad fact would be liken to the following: Two men is sufficient to rob a whole train full of people.

Any society has its mechanism of distribution of wealth. In the US the middle class of wage earners are destine to slave for both the richer and the poorer. Politicians and interest groups have great ways of designing laws that benefit a particular group, yet in appearance upholding some seemingly self-evident truth or publically demanded ideals. We as a people would not benefit if we do not have purposeful activities and actions to demand such benefits.

What differentiate America from other nations is its constitution, mainly about pursuit of happiness, which trickles down to real terms of minding your own business (in both sense.) Two strongest forms of social activity in the US is economics and politics (both about money: how to make it, and how to distribute it ) Life in the US demands that we engage in managing our own business, and actively participate in politics. If not, there really is no reason for you to be in the US, for being in any other nation would serve you just the same. (Programmer in China would be no different than programmer in US, or in Europe, ...).

Various (even excellent) organizations have attempted to address single aspect of our lives. 80-20 tries to awaken the political side of our community. Various small business aides for Chinatown, as well as groups like CASB, tries to focus on the business or economic sides of things. Yet all lack the approach that all things are inter-connected, and need to be integrated. When people are running their business, tax issues would motivate them to be highly active in politics, because the small changes in political decisions would have large implications (on personal income and benefits) that would be sufficient to motivate anyone to be politically active.

What we need is a kind of organization that would address, and cross-benefit, all crucial areas of Chinese living in America for the long run. This means it will address political issues, economic issues, cultural issues, ... It is not simply a big organization that join together many organizations of smaller domain. It must be an active and highly effective group, bringing benefits to the people in all areas, most probably be realized through the insightful cross-interaction among these areas.

Watching the GodFather series reminds me that for a new family, clan, and in general a people, to live and take root in a new land, they have to address the various aspects in life -economics, politics, and executive power. Furthermore, it is about taking leadership to look out for and protect your people, so that they gain the respect and equality that they deserved in a land of opportunity.

Of course their illegal methodologies are not to be praised. Similarly, current organizations that facilitate illegal immigration and tax evasion methodologies in the Chinese community are not really solving the real problem, but simply as a short term abuse of the current US system. These would point out again that we Chinese in America as a community is not viewing this nation as a long term place for us. If we do, then we would be seriously contributing to it, in terms of upholding the laws, and contributing to it, (both in political participation/law making/ law enforcement, and in tax contributions.) Only when you don't view yourself a genuine part of something would you tend to cheat it. The right way is to face the inequalities, and consciously work toward changing the laws, rather than to find ways to disobey the present law.

In fact, tax contribution is one way that this country will use as measures for redistributing political power and economic opportunities. When we take the simple short term way out, of relying on tax evasion, then we may be short changing our future, and our next generations.

I have no idea what exactly is this united Chinese organization. But I know some facets which it would likely have.

1. It will effectively communicate its vision to the entire community.
2. It will be a source of empowerment, not just in one aspect (such as single voting power in politics), but a real sense of empowerment, that individuals will feel that they can make a difference.
3. It will probably have a sense of the OPEN SOURCE philosophy of inviting participation and contribution from all.
4. It will be a platform to enable, educate, and facilitate the cross-pollination of political, economical, educational, ...
5. It will be a resource (less Small Business Association, more like a startup incubator) to help people start stable businesses, and remain in one.
6. It will be a thinktank for indicating political implications for the community.

Jim S. comments that what it will look like will depend on what lifestyle the community wants to adopt for the long term. How true this is!!! When we see the final goal, we will see how to go about it.

Certainly one can imagine that if a group of people, (say the educated scholars), were to agree to move out to somewhere in the Midwest, where I believe the land and the cost of living is still cheap, and decide to fill various roles of a healthy community (doctors, lawyers, builders, teachers, ...) despite what people's highly trained profession was, then suddenly a highly valuable and stable community emerges, with people's lifes and living status valued much more than the kind of life that we currently leading, even when the cost of living is lowered. But I am inclined not to say that this is the kind of solution we want.

In fact, living wherever you are, and be part of society. Just have a strong network where you have the strength to combat the various attacks from life in America.

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