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A letter from prominent Chinese-America community leaders distancing themselves from the scandal surrounding state Sen. Leland Yee.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Contact Person: Malcolm Yeung, (415) 984-1458
An Open Letter and Community Call to Action We, the undersigned, offer these words to the Chinese American community and to the public at
large:
With the revelations of the corruption indictment of Senator Leland Yee, the past several weeks have
been a shocking, troubling period for the people of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Its been especially alarming for Chinese Americans, as the inevitable fallout has brought intense scrutiny on
our community and, from some quarters, misguided doubts about the integrity of Chinese American
leadership as a whole.
After years of toil and effort, and hardfought gains, to become full participants in our local politics,
we cannot let the alleged corruption of a few set back the progress of the great many.
Some members of the media and others are tempted to interpret the indictments of Leland Yee and
his co-conspirators as a stain on the entire Chinese American community or, worse, to approach our community with renewed suspicion. Some have gone so far as to ask whether the Yee indictment
should cast doubt on all Chinese American elected officials in the Bay Area.
But, the fact is, nobody maligns the entire collection of white elected officials when a John Edwards
or Eliot Spitzer is disgraced; nobody suggests all Latino leaders are complicit in the Ron Calderon
affair; African Americans are not blamed for the crimes of Rep. William Jefferson or Mayor Ray
Nagin.
And the same is true here: there is nothing about the Chinese American political community, or its
culture, that is under indictment, only the shocking allegations against a few.
In fact, law enforcement has done the Chinese American community a great service. It has weeded
out alleged wrongdoing that, if proven, has festered way too long!
Far from casting doubt on the reliability of Chinese American leaders generally, the Leland Yee
indictments should re-affirm our faith in the American political system, of which we have fought so
hard to be a part. If you cheat, you get caught. It's that simple. . This is nothing to celebrate or smile
about, but justice is justice.
For Chinese Americans, this incident should also encourage us to participate in the civic process
more, not less. Our votes matter as do the politicians we help elect. Our participation is critical to the integrity and fairness of the system, and its important that we act as full participants at every level and not operate on the margins.
In fact, this past week should illustrate the maturation of our communitys place in the Bay Areas political system, as well as our resilience over the many decades. Theres no doubt Leland Yee was a
prominent Chinese American political figure but he is not the only representative from our community. The vast majority of our elected officials will pour their hearts and souls into
representing their constituents to the best of their ability.
The FBIs tenacity in pursuing this case shows that, going forward, other politicians, including any Chinese American ones, must think twice before breaking the law. Theyre going to get caught, and they should.
Law enforcement has shown its determination to protect the integrity of the system. Just as important,
we must show our determination to respect, and reflect, todays more inclusive civic institutions, and the best way to do that is to participate.
One politician does not make an entire political system. The people make the political system. So
take note, brothers and sisters, but do not let anyone put you on the defensive.
Now Leland Yee will have his day in court to defend himself; we as a community have nothing to
defend.
Signed,
NAME: ORGANIZATION FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSE ONLY
Rose Pak Community Leader
Rev. Norman Fong Chinatown Community Development Center
Anni Chung Self Help for the Elderly
Gordon Chin Community Leader
Sarah Wan Community Youth Center of San Francisco
Wing Hoo Leung Community Tenants Association
Kinson Wong R&G Lounge
Phil Chin Chinatown Transportation, Research and Improvement Project
Chang Jok Lee Ping Yuen Residents Improvement Association
Carol Kuong Committee for Better Parks and Rec in Chinatown
Patricia Thomas SF Housing Authority Commission
Amor Santiago APA Family Support Service
Jon Osaki Japanese Community Youth Center
Allan Low SF Recreation and Park Commission
Cindy Wu SF Planning Commission
Eric Wu SF Youth Commission
Victor M. Hwang Community Attorney
Charles Chan Chinese American Association of Commerce
Tilly Chang Washington Bakery
Eva Tam AOPA
Tong Zhang Cathay Post #384
Douglas Wong Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Malcolm Yeung Chinatown CDC
Michael Kay Sam Yup Association
Linda Chow Chase International Inc.
Donald Luu Community Architect
Tony Zhang Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Florence Kong Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Grace Yuen Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Harlan Wong Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Kitman Chan Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Eddie K. Au Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Esther Li Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Michael Lau Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Teresa Cheung Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Kenny Tse Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Francis So Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Sidney Chan Community Leader
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