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SAN FRANCISCO: Better late than never, the state of California has officially apologized for abuses against Chinese immigrants that date back to the Gold Rush days of the mid 19th century.
But what the action means in tangible terms is a matter of debate.
The resolution of apology — signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on July 17 after the state Assembly and Senate passed it unanimously — sets forth no actual policy and prescribes no reparations. Both authors of the measure acknowledged as much, however, they said it marked the start of an effort to foster political, social and economic justice for California’s ethnic Chinese and other minorities.
Whether its passage will prompt similar actions in other states or in Washington remains to be seen, though Assemblyman Paul Fong, one of the bill’s authors, noted that the US Senate has passed a resolution apologizing to African-Americans for the abuses their ancestors suffered under slavery.
“It’s the beginning of the discussion,” said Fong, a Democrat representing California’s Silicon Valley area.
The resolution’s other author, Assemblyman Kevin de Leon, said the measure “is symbolically very important. (It is) a wonderful opportunity to use as a tool to educate Californians about the contributions of Chinese-Americans and Chinese immigrants.”
The apology should have its benefits, according to State Senator. Mark Leno, who represents San Francisco’s east side, which includes Chinatown.
“First and foremost, it is about the dignity, respect and validation of Chinese-Americans, which has historically been denied,” said Leno.
“Secondly, the debate around it … helps to educate Californians on their less-than-proud history,” he said.
The resolution cites details of the Chinese experience in California, their achievements and the abuses they suffered. It also recognizes racial and ethnic diversity as “one of our state’s greatest strengths, enabling California to thrive economically, agriculturally, technologically, academically, and politically at an international level.”
It goes on to say that the state of California regrets “the enactment of past discriminatory laws and constitutional provisions which resulted in the persecution of Chinese living in California, which forced them to live in fear of unjust prosecutions on baseless charges, and which unfairly prevented them from earning a living”.
The resolution added that “while this nation was founded on the principle that all men are created equal … we recognize that the practices of our state and its government have not always honored that promise.”
Despite the apology, and the change in attitude toward immigrants over the past 150 years, not all the abuses are so far in the past. Fong said his own family had been targeted by bigots, including a hate e-mail sent to Fong’s wife Grace, which told her to “Go home” and included a racial epithet.
Whether the resolution will help strengthen Sino-US relations — particularly as US policymakers including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have criticized China’s human-rights practices — is open to question.
Jean-Marc Blanchard, an associate professor of international studies and associate director of the Center for US-China Policy Studies at San Francisco State University, doubted the resolution would have much impact on ties between the two countries.
“First, the resolution is a state of California resolution. Second, I believe US macroeconomic policies, stances toward issues like Xinjiang and Tibet, and US security policy in the Asia-Pacific (region) are far more consequential in the eyes of the Chinese government,” he said.
This may be true, however, as Leno said: “Every respectful statement has its value. The resolution sets an important and positive example for the rest of the world by showing we can own up to our own mistakes.”
