She's Not That Chinese

Mr. Gibson,

I am writing in hopes of hiring you as my lawyer. I have heard of your interest in Chinese issues in San Francisco, and your assistance with the “slave girls”. I have also heard of your educational background, as well as the activism of your parents, and think that you are the perfect person to help me in my case. Additionally, I think that taking my family’s case would suit your interests and allow you to do good work for the Chinese of San Francisco.

            Mr. Gibson, the problem is that my daughter has been denied admission to the local public school by the board. I think this is absolutely unacceptable, as she is an American, just like all of the other students. Even her mother and I are not very Chinese. While we were born in China, we both came here when we were quite young, did not live near other Chinese, speak English, “and for fifteen years past have been clothed in the American costume” (52). I think that this may be something we can highlight in order to show that my daughter, Mamie, belongs at the normal school.

I hope that you, having been born in China but attending Harvard, can have some understanding of what it means to be Chinese, but also not consider yourself Chinese. I do not need my daughter to face discrimination- she is the same as everyone else, and I need help in proving this, especially against those who rally and want to push the Chinese out.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Joseph Tape

image from an article called "Do Asians Hate Asian-Americans?"

http://www.8asians.com/2011/03/22/do-asians-hate-asian-americans/