The first Chinese mayor in three hundred years

Source: AAAB yearbook (2022). Original author: Kewei Gan

Since November 16, 2021, Wu Mi's mayoral career has gone through five months. After only a short period of celebration, she began a political career full of challenges and hardships. As the first Asian American mayor in more than 300 years since the founding of Boston, Wu Mi's ethnic background has not only brought her unprecedented attention from the United States and even the Chinese people, but also placed her under enormous pressure. After she served as mayor of Boston, she signed a mandatory vaccine measure at the end of 2021, requiring that starting January 15, 2022, Boston citizens over the age of 12 must present proof of at least one vaccination when entering indoor venues; through February Full proof of vaccination must be presented on the 15th. During the period when the COVID pandemic was raging, this public prevention measure that was very basic in the author's opinion. Without Question, this policy was met with frantic opposition from many "antivaccine" people; not surprisingly, some racial discriminators also took the opportunity to start. A fierce personal attack was launched against the Chinese female mayor. They even took advantage of a loophole in the law to put the demonstration site on the doorstep of her private residence, causing huge distress to her family and neighbors. When the author asked Mayor Wu Mi about the challenges she faces in her mayoral work, she once said that as the first Chinese-American mayor and the first female mayor to be elected in Boston in more than 300 years, she is undoubtedly the first female mayor. Very proud of that. But it is precisely because of this that she, her family, and even the entire Asian American community are facing pressure from these opponents. As Mr. Yun Long Zhen, a senior media person in Boston said, "Wu Mi is not the mayor of the Chinese, but the mayor of all the citizens of Boston. But her success will undoubtedly inspire the enthusiasm of our Chinese to participate in politics." During Last year's mayor election, the ChineseAmerican community in Boston showed unprecedented activity and unity. At that time, as a mayoral candidate, Wu Mi successfully received support from the Boston Chinese community including solidarity, votes and campaign funds. Taking Boston Chinatown as an example, she was invited to participate in large-scale Chinese events such as major traditional festivals and clan meetings, and she also gained the support of a large number of Chinese voters. Many Chinese social activists and media professionals in Boston, such as Chairman Ye Huang, Yun Long Zhen, Chairman Fei Pan, Director Wu Hao and his wife, etc., also joined the team to support the Asian-American candidate. After being successfully elected mayor, Wu Mi also responded positively and enthusiastically to the Chinese community who had strongly supported her. From the Christmas lighting ceremony at the end of last year to the lion dance in Chinatown during the Lunar New Year in 2022, she has never been absent. Mayor Wu Mi's actions undoubtedly continue to inspire our Chinese community to actively participate in community building and urban politics. During the interview, when the author asked what appeals and expectations she had for the Chinese communities in Boston, including the Asian American Association, Mayor Wu said that according to her long-term research, housing rents in downtown Boston and around Chinatown are rising at an astonishing rate. The speed is increasing year by year. The shortage of housing and high prices have undoubtedly brought a heavy burden to residents and small and medium-sized property owners in these areas. She hopes that in the future, the housing resources in these neighborhoods can be increased through administrative measures to relieve pressure and enable residents and businesses to live and work in peace and contentment. She also said that she hopes to rely on the prestige and Appeal to get more support and assistance. Boston has been a city for more than 300 years, and the future time of this city is incalculable. In this long period of time, a mayor was just passing by in a hurry, a drop in the ocean. But the appearance of Wu Mi is undoubtedly another milestone of great significance in these thousands of years, symbolizing that Asians have entered the political arena, and becoming a local chief executive is no longer out of reach. Perhaps, her appearance will inspire more political elites from the Asian community; perhaps, her appearance will usher in a grand and magnificent historical prelude.

Special thanks to Mr. Pin Ci Cao, CoExecutive President of Boston Asian American Friendship Association, for helping to contact.