Witness and Reflections

Source: AAAB yearbook (2022). Original author: Klysler Yen (Yun Long Zhen) Original date: December 9, 2021, in Boston

Testimony and testimonials Klysler Yen December 9, 2021, in Boston The "New England Chinese Historical Association" gave me this year's "Wanderer Award". Because of the epidemic, the annual meeting was held on the Internet for the first time, and they visited me through online video and asked me what to say? First of all, I am very grateful. I am grateful for the free development opportunities and legal environment given to me by the American society; I am grateful for the care given to me by my friends; I am grateful for the support and help of my colleagues in various associations; I am grateful for the honor given to me by the Chinese Historical Association. My wife and I immigrated to Boston, USA in 1975 with our eleven-year-old son and one-year-old daughter. Main personal careers: In 1976, we founded the "Chinese Wushu Research Institute", responsible for administration and publishing, and my wife, Mai Baochan, was responsible for teaching. In 1980, he applied to start the Boston branch of Sing Tao Daily. In 1992, he founded "Performing Art Salon" as an amateur. In 1994, he co-founded the Chinese Calligraphy Association. In 2010, he led the founding of the "Asian American Friendship Association", led the "Asian American Art Troupe", and edited the "Asian American Newspaper". In 2019, he co-founded the Greater Bay Area Philharmonic Alliance (Macau). In 2020, he cofounded the "Gu's Earthquake Prediction Research Institute". As I have been mainly engaged in Chinese journalism for more than 40 years, I have written a large number of articles and news, published in Sing Tao Daily, and have extensive contact with the Chinese community in the Boston area, so I think I am qualified to be interviewed on this topic. More importantly, by visiting, I try to give a voice to a community issue. I am the external spokesperson of the Asia-American Association, and my speech also represents the opinion of the Asia-American Association.

1. With the development of computers, networks, telecommunications, and intelligence, many high-tech products have been replaced in waves; the Boston Chinese community is also growing with each passing day. But history will not be updated or replaced, it will only leave traces. The Chinese Historical Society came into being, recorded the situation of the Chinese society for decades, recorded the Chinese in the United States participated in the creation and growth of the American society, and they have made significant contributions. Historical testimony tells us that Chinese Americans are part of the construction of American society and should be recognized and respected on an equal footing with all ethnic groups.

2. Over the past 46 years, I have witnessed the increasing number of new immigrants in the Chinese society, and their occupations have shifted from a relatively single-focused catering industry to a diversified one; the population structure is mainly Cantonese and gradually changed; the popular Chinese languages, from Taishan dialect, Cantonese, Now a mixture of "Mandarin".

3. The biggest change in the Chinese society is the few associations (not to be named), which had almost nothing more than 40 years ago. They started from the Tuku and became the major property owners today. Of course, several groups have built thousands of affordable houses for the community with their wisdom and strength, riding the rising tide of real estate, with the support of the community and special government resources. Several associations are not-for-profit organizations, and their common feature is that they develop real estate and become big owners. Contribute to the community and achieve yourself. Now, their most important job is "Rent Collection". They have three or two employees and can have several thousand square feet of office, which is very successful.

4. In those days, there were very few lowincome and cheap houses in the Chinese community. The only big bottom was Datong Village, which was nominally owned by the Zhonghua Office (in fact, it was built with a government loan of 7 million yuan). The application was easy to move in, and the waiting time was not long. Now a few big real estate owners (not-for-profit organizations) have built thousands of low-income housing, making it harder to apply for occupancy and longer wait times. Calculated like this: if there is an opportunity to build more houses in the future, will the waiting period for occupancy be longer?

5. Of course, new immigrants have increased, and new low-cost housing has been built, which cannot keep up with demand; but can you reflect on:

A. With such an increase in housing, will one day be able to meet the needs? Is Chinese society's emphasis on building low-cost housing a good solution to community problems? If there is a job and income, and the United States is so big, where is not my home?

B. In fact, there are still many social cells in the Chinese society, which also need houses (Offices, places for activities). These social cells are important components of society. When the components are healthy, the society is healthy. Many social cell elements are also non-profit organizations. Unfortunately, these associations do not have any chance to obtain the inch of land they are waiting for, just like low-income families are waiting for lowcost housing! Contrary to those large owners with hundreds of rental units and a large number of office activity spaces Compared, it is really "The Land of Poverty".

For example, the Chinese Historical Association, decades later, only has an office of about 100 feet and half of its staff. There is no place to store Chinese historical materials! For example, a music and opera group with a history of more than 80 years, a non-profit organization, has rented a bunker, with 20 to 30 people, often crowding in a space of less than 300 feet; , service and growth are obvious to all. It can hold an event with 20,000 to 30,000 people participating in Boston Common all day, and has been recognized by the provincial and municipal governments. The second Saturday of September is legally the "Asian American Festival". A few years ago, the government agreed to give a small office in the Zhonghua Trade Building, but it was later denied, which is said to be a "political factor". There are also many old clubs, basically the same as a few decades ago, their application space is narrow, and they rely on playing mahjong "Pumping Water" to maintain rent and expenses.

C. As a resource supplier, the government should review its housing policy! For decades, why have resources been concentrated on a few large owners' associations while ignoring more and more disadvantaged organizations, all of which are nonprofit organizations? One-way low-cost housing with serious resources is tilted. In a pluralistic society, is it balanced and equal? How can an unequal society be harmonious!

1. My question is based on the conscience of a journalist, the testimony and testimonials of an American citizen who has observed Chinese society for decades. My opinions are not necessarily correct, and discussions and corrections are welcome.

Finally, I gave the following items to the Chinese Historical Association, I believe that the preservation of the historical association is more meaningful than my own preservation:

1. Hundreds of articles published in Sing Tao Daily for decades, two volumes of newspaper clippings, a box of photos, and other news-related items.

2. Edited and published more than ten martial arts books and DVDs for the Chinese Wushu Research Institute.

3. Part of the "Asian American Newspaper" and the "Asian American Festival" special issue edited and published for the "Asian American Friendship Association".

There is a famous saying in China: Life is a passer-by for a hundred generations. I am in history with the New England Chinese Historical Society. May the historical association live on. Record history and witness the road.