A Rising Tide: The Power and Awakening of Asian Americans

Published Thursday, July 23, 2026

by Rose Cheung

Editor’s Note :

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the South Coast Chinese Cultural Association and Irvine Chinese School. To honor this half-century journey, former board chairs and principals were invited to share their memories, values, and hopes.

Through its “Brilliant Fifty” series, Cultural Weekly is sharing these reflections on the vision, milestones, and cultural legacy that shaped the Association and the School.

This essay was written by Rose Cheung, chair of the commemorative publication committee, who poured her heart into the project before her passing. Her words live on, carrying her love for the community and hope for its cultural legacy. We share them in loving memory.

The reasons for choosing to settle in Southern California are truly too numerous to count!

It boasts a Mediterranean climate—winters are never too cold, and summers are dry rather than stiflingly humid—allowing for outdoor activities year-round; this serves as a major draw for those who prioritize quality of life.

For the Chinese diaspora, Southern California offers highly mature Chinese communities and abundant local resources for higher education.

Furthermore, thanks to its fully developed multicultural industries and inclusive employment landscape, the region possesses a notably open and globalized outlook.

All these factors have propelled Southern California to the status of a premier destination for immigrants arriving in the United States.

SCCCA has published a bilingual English-Chinese book, Chinese Americans In Irvine: 1971-2021, to foster greater public understanding of the Chinese American community.

History Unfolds　SoCal Rises

Let us take a brief look back at the history of Southern California’s development:

Its story began in the 16th century with Spanish exploration, followed by a period of Mexican rule. Following a military defeat, Mexico ceded this vast territory to the United States in 1848.

Subsequently—driven by the advent of railways in the late 19th century, the discovery of oil, and the rapid rise of the film, aerospace, and defense industries throughout the 20th century—the region experienced explosive population growth.

Transforming from a frontier zone dominated by agriculture and ranching, Southern California witnessed meteoric advancements across every sector; today, it stands as a hub integrating technology, entertainment, culture, and international trade—and ranks as one of the most densely populated regions in the United States.

Roots Deepen　Culture Endures

It is now 2026. If we were to conduct an in-depth examination of the social, economic, and cultural transformations of the Chinese American community in Southern California—starting from the 1970s—and analyze the diverse ways this evolution manifests across immigration backgrounds, occupational structures, residential patterns, and cultural identities, we are compelled to ask: Are those of Chinese descent who immigrated to the U.S. after the mid-1970s far more fortunate than their predecessors who arrived one or two centuries ago?

The answer is an emphatic "Yes!"

While timing and fortune certainly play a role, what matters even more is the collective resilience, tenacity, and industrious spirit of the Chinese American community.

This spirit represents both a continuation of the cultural DNA of the Chinese people and a deliberate strategy for survival.

Let us take a moment for a brief retrospective: The illustrious year of 1776 marked the birth of the United States. Two hundred and fifty years later—in 2026—our South Coast Chinese Cultural Association (SCCCA) stands as a renowned hub of Chinese culture in the globally acclaimed region of Southern California.

As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Association taking root in this community, we also seize this opportunity to pay tribute to the struggles and achievements of the Chinese diaspora, to affirm our confidence in our cultural heritage, and to express our aspirations for a society characterized by diversity and inclusion.

Doors Open　Numbers Soar

Historical data and societal shifts reveal a remarkable trend over the past five decades: the Asian American population in the U.S. has surged from 1.5 million in 1970 to 25 million, according to the latest census figures from 2024.

The primary catalyst for this rapid growth was the impact of the *Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965*. The Act’s central provision was the abolition of the long-standing "quota system"—a discriminatory and restrictive framework that had previously governed immigration allocations.

Following the policy reforms enacted in 1965, immigrants from regions such as China, India, the Philippines, and South Korea began to arrive in the United States in significant numbers.

The label "Model Minority" first emerged in the 1960s. In comparison to other demographic groups, it was employed to characterize Asian Americans as a diligent and high-achieving population, particularly in the realms of economics and education.

Roots Endure　Strangers Remain

Yet, as time would unexpectedly prove, this label not only failed to accurately reflect the complex social realities of the community but actually served to exacerbate racial tensions and divisions.

Given the intricate position Asian Americans occupy within U.S. society, scholars and experts have engaged in extensive deliberation regarding the most effective strategies for combating racism and hate crimes.

Their consensus suggests that the only viable path forward lies in systematic advocacy—working to dismantle prejudices, rectify inequities in resource allocation, and safeguard the rights and interests of Asian Americans within society, thereby preventing their further marginalization.

May Remembers　Pioneers Build

In 1992, the U.S. Congress passed legislation officially designating the month of May as "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" (commonly referred to as AAPI Heritage Month).

Tracing the historical context behind the enactment of this legislation, its origins lie in two significant immigration-related events—both of which occurred in the month of May in American history.

The first took place on May 7, 1843, when the first group of Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States; this migration was driven by the U.S. demand for labor at the time, supportive policies from the Japanese government, and a relatively lenient immigration environment.

The second event occurred on May 10, 1869, marking the completion of the United States' first transcontinental railroad connecting the East and West Coasts.

This monumental and arduous engineering feat was successfully brought to fruition, paving the way for the development and prosperity of the American Midwest. Historical records attest that the railroad workforce of that era was predominantly composed of Chinese laborers, who contributed unparalleled technical expertise and immense physical toil.

In 1992, U.S. President George H.W. Bush signed legislation permanently designating May as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month" to honor the contributions that Asian communities have made to American history, economy, and culture.

Roots Endure　Strangers Remain

Yet, to this day, instances of discrimination against Asians remain all too common.

In 2015, Michael Luo—a Chinese American writer born in the U.S. who served as an editor at *The New Yorker*—was subjected to discriminatory verbal abuse on the streets of New York City.

In response, he published *The Strangers in the Land*—a powerful work of narrative journalism spanning over 100,000 words—that served as a resounding indictment of such prejudice.

Michael Luo issued a fervent plea: "Must Chinese Americans—who have put down roots in this country for generations—forever remain 'strangers' in this land?"

Although the U.S. government opened its doors to Asian immigrants in 1965, the label of "stranger" continues to shadow Asian Americans like a persistent specter.

Three Fronts　Six Actions

For Chinese Americans—or indeed any ethnic minority group—the pursuit of fairness, justice, and the elimination of discrimination requires concerted effort across three distinct dimensions: the individual, the community, and the institutional.

The following are directions and strategies recommended by scholars and experts, offered here for reference:

1) To enhance visibility: Actively participate in civic affairs—such as voting, policy discussions, and community meetings—in order to dismantle the stereotype of the "silent minority."

In professional or academic settings, courageously voice your opinions and advocate for equal opportunities to avoid becoming marginalized.

2) When encountering discriminatory remarks, respond with a calm yet firm attitude to correct them; for Chinese Americans are not "perpetual foreigners," but rather "co-builders" of this society.

Utilize social media, writing, or artistic creation to showcase the inherent diversity of the Chinese American community.

3) Foster increased collaboration with other minority groups, supporting one another's civil rights movements to forge a united front against discrimination.

4) At the community level, organize and establish mutual aid networks to provide legal assistance, channels for reporting discrimination, and language support services.

Organize cultural festivals, lectures, or workshops to educate the public about Chinese American history—such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and the contributions of Chinese railroad workers—thereby fostering mutual understanding within society.

5) Collaborate with school districts and educational institutions to advocate for the inclusion of significant historical events in the curriculum, thereby addressing prejudice at its educational roots.

Encourage Chinese Americans to run for local public office and participate in policymaking. Organize voter registration drives to boost Chinese American voter turnout and ensure that the community’s voice is heard and valued by political leaders.

6) Drive systemic change through legal and policy advocacy—for instance, by supporting anti-discrimination legislation and urging law enforcement agencies to rigorously investigate hate crimes.

Protest against negative stereotypes of Chinese Americans in film and television, and demand that the media industry increase the representation of Chinese American professionals within its ranks.

Fund research into the Chinese American immigrant experience and the prevalence of discrimination, utilizing data to expose structural inequities.

Reject Victimhood　Advance Equality

"Discrimination" is a systemic political issue that cannot be eradicated overnight; we therefore call for sustained, long-term attention and effort to eliminate it, in accordance with the six recommendations outlined above.

It is worth emphasizing once again: we must reject a "victim mentality." As Chinese Americans, we are beneficiaries of the struggle for equal rights; we must, therefore, also embrace our role and identity as "advocates," standing in solidarity with all other groups within American society in their collective pursuit of "fairness."

SCCCA/ICS published a bilingual book, *Chinese Americans In Irvine 1971-2021*, to promote broader social understanding.