You're Invited to Screenings of 'Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese'

Well, well! I had not even finished my post-Memorial Day Tuesday morning coffee when I received this news! 

I've been invited to attend screenings of the three-part documentary 'Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese.' 

"The film tells the story of the early Chinese immigrants to the Mississippi Delta during the 19th century; then it explores how the community steadily grew in the early part of the 20th century, as Chinese families across the Delta opened grocery stores that served both the black and white populations. 

"Subsequently, it reveals how 182 Chinese men from the Delta participated in all aspects of the US war effort in WWII, shows the transformational nature of their participation in the war for the development of the community in the decades immediately after the war, and concludes by documenting the contributions of the Chinese Delta families to the state of Mississippi and beyond as their children became doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and many other types of professionals in the contemporary era.

"The film’s importance arises not only from its focus on an almost unknown Chinese community in the heart of the Deep South, but also from what it reveals about the immigrant experience in America. It can certainly invites discussion of some of the issues engaging the US currently."

There are two screenings in New York City on Wednesday and Thursday. 

  

Click this link for a full list of locations across the USA. There will be three in New York City the first week of June 2016. 

You can be certain that I will be at one of them -and you'll hear about it on Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on AM1490 WGCH and WGCH.com.




Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and everywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

This show is title-sponsored by Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development Ltd. You are invited to explore how an alliance with Beijing AmBridge can help your company or organization grow and prosper. Call Beijing AmBridge's office in Beijing at 86-10-80775517 or email ambridge01@163.com. 

Corporate Executive Offices (CEO) in Greenwich, Connecticut USA is a supporting sponsor of this show. Since 1989, CEO has been a provider of world-class offices in a prominent, modern building with contemporary services, advanced technology and amenities that will help you focus on productivity while keeping your monthly costs under control. The best thing about CEO is that they treat you like family -only better! Visit them online at www.ceooffices.com or call 203-622-1300 today. 

Southeast Asian cuisine has never been more popular, and if you want the best visit Penang Grill. A supporting sponsor of this show, Penang Grill is conveniently located at 55 Lewis Street in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut USA. Penang Grills repertoire of fine culinary selections, tranquil, Asian-themed surroundings, courteous service and great prices will leave you satisfied. Call 203-861-1988. You'll be glad you did. 

Coming Up Next: Professor Afaa Weaver of Simmons College: China and The Plum Flower Trilogy

You'll want to tune in this coming Saturday morning, June 4 when I welcome professor, author and poet Mr. Afaa Michael Weaver. Here's why:

This remarkable American poet, educator, story teller, writer and editor is the author of numerous poetry collections. His honors include a Fulbright Scholarship, fellowships from the National Endowments of the Arts (NEA), the Pew Foundation, and he is the recipient of the Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award and a Pushcart Prize, among others. Weaver is the director of the Writing Intensive at The Frost Place. 

In 2015 his work City of Eternal Spring won the Phillis Wheatley Award for excellence in poetry at the Harlem Book Fair. This work was the final book in Weaver's Plum Flower Trilogy. Weaver's other works include Timber and Prayer: The Indian Pond Poems; My Father's Geography; The Plum Flower Dance: Poems 1985 to 2005; and The Government of Nature, and more. 

Nigerian playwright Tess Onwueme gave him the Ibo name, Afaa, meaning "oracle." Weaver teaches at Simmons College in Massachusetts and is the chairman of the Simmons International Chinese Poetry Conference and director of the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Center. 

Of Afaa Michael Weaver, Henry Louis Gates has observed that "Weaver of one of the most significant poets writing today. With its blend of Chinese spiritualism and American roundedness, his poetry presents the reader (and the listener, for his body of work is meant to be read aloud) with challenging questions about identity, about how physicality and spirit act together or counteract each other to shape who we are in the world. His attention to the way language works is rare, and the effects of that attention on his poetry are distinctive and expansive."

Referring to Weaver's work, The Government of Nature, Ching-Hsi Perng, President of the Taipei Chinese Club has said, "In these nuanced, sobering, and beautifully cadenced poems, the poet tries to deal with haunting, mysterious vines of the past, present, and future-whether of fear, anxiety, joy, love, or hope. Reconciling East and West, he achieves harmony and tranquility. A marvelous work." Weaver was given the Chinese name "Wei Yafeng." 

In 2005 he received the Gold Friendship Medal from the Beijing Writers Association for his work with Chinese poets. 

Please check out his official web site at http://afaaweaver.net/

We'll hear from Weaver about many things, such as his early life, his work with Chinese poets, how his works are insightful and special for Chinese as well as Americans, his lifelong interest in Chinese culture and much more. 

Tune-in this coming Saturday June 4, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on AM1490 WGCH and everywhere on WGCH.com! 

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and everywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

This show is title-sponsored by Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development Ltd. You are invited to explore how an alliance with Beijing AmBridge can help your company or organization grow and prosper. Call Beijing AmBridge's office in Beijing at 86-10-80775517 or email ambridge01@163.com. 

Corporate Executive Offices (CEO) in Greenwich, Connecticut USA is a supporting sponsor of this show. Since 1989, CEO has been a provider of world-class offices in a prominent, modern building with contemporary services, advanced technology and amenities that will help you focus on productivity while keeping your monthly costs under control. The best thing about CEO is that they treat you like family -only better! Visit them online at www.ceooffices.com or call 203-622-1300 today. 

Southeast Asian cuisine has never been more popular, and if you want the best visit Penang Grill. A supporting sponsor of this show, Penang Grill is conveniently located at 55 Lewis Street in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut USA. Penang Grills repertoire of fine culinary selections, tranquil, Asian-themed surroundings, courteous service and great prices will leave you satisfied. Call 203-861-1988. You'll be glad you did. 

Coming Up TODAY on Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on WGCH.com

Good morning! Before my three-day Memorial Day holiday gets started I've got to burn the radio waves from AM1490 WGCH and WGCH.com.

On today's Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim Show I'll be speaking with Director Meixu Huang of the Global Education Center's International Student Office at East China Normal University in Shanghai. 

Later, I'll share with you my recent experience at the China Institute in America where we savored the flavors and textures of jianbing's: authentic Beijing street crepes! Yumolicious! I could enjoy these for breakfast everyday! 

Then I'll share what I learned recently about the Qianlong Emperor of China's Qing dynasty. See you on the air from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern USA Time!



Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and everywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

This show is title-sponsored by Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development Ltd. You are invited to explore how an alliance with Beijing AmBridge can help your company or organization grow and prosper. Call Beijing AmBridge's office in Beijing at 86-10-80775517 or email ambridge01@163.com. 

Corporate Executive Offices (CEO) in Greenwich, Connecticut USA is a supporting sponsor of this show. Since 1989, CEO has been a provider of world-class offices in a prominent, modern building with contemporary services, advanced technology and amenities that will help you focus on productivity while keeping your monthly costs under control. The best thing about CEO is that they treat you like family -only better! Visit them online at www.ceooffices.com or call 203-622-1300 today. 

Southeast Asian cuisine has never been more popular, and if you want the best visit Penang Grill. A supporting sponsor of this show, Penang Grill is conveniently located at 55 Lewis Street in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut USA. Penang Grills repertoire of fine culinary selections, tranquil, Asian-themed surroundings, courteous service and great prices will leave you satisfied. Call 203-861-1988. You'll be glad you did. 

Coming Up Next: Ms. Meixu Huang, East China Normal University and the Internationalization of Higher Education

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 28! Our next guest on Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim is Ms. Meixu Huang. 

She is the director of the Global Education Center's International Student Office at East China Normal University (ECNU) in Shanghai.

Speaking to us from her office on the ECNU campus in Shanghai, Ms. Huang will brief us on ECNU's process of internationalizing its academic programs, establishing global strategic cooperative partnerships, and elaborate on the benefits of internationalization.

In addition, Ms. Huang will comment on how higher education is a form of diplomatic policy through university-to-university investment as well as its role in the improvement of people-to-people relationships between Chinese, Americans and other nationalities. 

Tune in to AM1490 WGCH and everywhere at WGCH.com on Saturday's 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Eastern USA Time/ 10:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. China Time. 

Our recent shows are archived on the station's web site. All shows and advertisements are freely available on our new Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim podcasting site.  

Daer Tribesmen from Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

PATHS TO THE PAST: Chinese Paper

The oldest piece of paper in the world was found in China and dates back to the second or first century B.C. 







Paper was so durable, it was sometimes used for clothing and even light body armor. 

PATHS TO THE PAST: Chinese Bats

The bat is a traditional good luck symbol that is frequently depicted in designs for porcelain, textiles, and other crafts. 

PATHS TO THE PAST: Horses in Chinese Symbolism

The horse most likely originated in Central Asia and became very important in China. 

A horse is considered to be associated with the masculine symbol, yang, and with the element of fire. 

A person born in the Year of the Horse is considered cheerful, independent. 

PATHS TO THE PAST: Chinese Stirrups

The Chinese were the first in the world to use stirrups in the third century A.D. 

Confucius Moment: A man who dupes others...

"A man who dupes others survives because he is fortunate enough to be spared." 

Coming Up Tomorrow: Eric Jay Dolin, Author and Historian

Be sure to tune in to the Saturday, May 21 broadcast of 'Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim' on AM1490 WGCH and WGCH.com radio. My special guest is Eric Jay Dolin, an American author who writes history books, which often focus on maritime topics, wildlife, and the environment. 

He has published eleven books, which have won numerous awards. We'll be discussing his book 'When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs and Money in the Age of Sail.' 

Looking for something to add to your summer reading list? I recommend this one. Find out why tomorrow!

Show Archives and Podcasts Online Are Available for You!

It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim archives has been completely updated! 

All of our shows as of May 14, 2016 have been uploaded and will be permanently and freely available as podcasts. (CLICK HERE) You'll also find advertisements featured, too.

From this point onward all future shows will be added to the podcasting site. 

Our thanks goes to our title-sponsor, Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development, Ltd., and to supporting sponsors CEO Offices and Penang Grill, both located in the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

Coming Up on Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim: Author, Master Storyteller and Historian Eric Jay Dolin

My next guest on the weekly Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim Show is renowned author, master storyteller and historian Eric Jay Dolin. 

His book When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs and Money in the Age of Sail illuminates its readers with one of the least understood areas of history. Throughout this epic journey to the past, Dolin retraces the complicated history shared between the "Middle Kingdom" of China and the newly-independent United States of America in the late-18th and early 19th centuries. 

​

"That is why every time I heard or read news stories about America and China, it occurred to me that-given the intense focus on the evolving ties between these two countries- it might be revealing to explore the origins of their relationship. Therein lay the genesis of this book, whose goal is to tell the story of how America and China first met, and what their relationship was like in the beginning. As it turns out, the story revolves mostly around trade, for that was the primary medium through which America and China came to know each other." 

Far earlier than most Americans realize, there has been a hearty appetite for Chinese products in this country -and a complicated relationship to go with it. After independence, and with the USA cut off from trade with Europe and the West Indies, Americans were ambitious, bound and determined to compete on the world stage -and off to China they went. 

As you can imagine there's much more to this engaging story, and Eric Jay Dolin will be with us. 

Tune in this coming Saturday morning, May 21, 10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. to AM1490 WGCH and everywhere at WGCH.com. 

Confucius Moment: "The sun and moon shine on all without partiality."

On yesterday's weekly Confucius Moment the cogent observation by the Great Sage himself was this:

"The sun and moon shine on all without partiality."

This seemed pretty obvious. We are all equal in the sense that there are no inherit special rights or privileges for the wealthy -or that the heavens above show any special status to any particular group based on wealthy, ages, birth, gender and so on. 

UPDATE: Congratulations to Brandon Yu!

On yesterday's program I mentioned an update I received about last week's guest, Parkway School fifth-grader Brandon Yu of Greenwich. 

According to Brandon's mother, Kathleen Yu, the Western Windcast Quiz Bowl team from Western Middle School performed well at the national tournament. The field was a very competitive one with over 850 participants. 

The Greenwich team, of which Brandon was a member, topped teams from Florida, Tennessee and Alabama -not bad, considering that this was the Greenwich team's first trip to the nationals.

The best news? Brandon Yu was singled out as one of six "rising stars." The Rising Star Award goes to the top six highest earning students who were not in the 8th grade. Overall, Brandon was ranked 36th. Not bad at all!

Our congratulations goes to Brandon Yu, his team mates and family here in Greenwich. Way to go!

Looking Forward: Guest Lineup on Conversations

At last! Friday has arrived! Aren't you glad?

Remember to tune-in tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 14 for our next show at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time/ 10:30 p.m. China Time. 

You're not in our local listening area? Not a problem -go to WGCH.com everywhere and listen! 

Ms. Amy Needle, President and CEO of Historic Philadelphia is my guest on Saturday, May 14. Franklin Square in the City of Brotherly Love is illuminated each night with the first-ever Chinese Lantern Festival in the Northeastern USA. She is my special guest on tomorrow's Conversations segment. See: http://www.historicphiladelphia.org

In the weeks ahead we're looking forward to welcoming an assortment of exciting, interesting guests on Conversations. They include:

Professor Meixu Huang of East China Normal University (ECNU) will be joining us from Shanghai to discuss the internationalization of Chinese higher education. ECNU is one of China's leading universities with a profound culture and high reputation, attaching significant importance to the internationalization of its development and has established strategic cooperative partnerships with many world-renowned universities. See: http://www.ied.ecnu.edu.cn/index_en.asp

You'll be meeting Mr. Eric Jay Dolin, historian and author of When America First Met China: An Exotic History of Tea, Drugs, and Money in the Age of Sail. He will be sharing with us the complex history of trade between the newly-independent United States of America and the Chinese Empire as covered in his book. See: 

http://www.amazon.com/When-America-First-Met-China/dp/0871406896

Professor, Poet and Author Afaa Weaver of Simmons College in Massachusetts will also be my special guest. Recently appearing at Sarah Lawrence College in New York, he is a man of many interesting paths and experiences -including a Fulbright appointment as a scholar to National Taiwan University and Taipei National University of the Arts. Professor Weaver has conducted two international conferences on contemporary Chinese poetry at Simmons College. In 2005 he was awarded a gold fellowship medal from the Chinese Writers' Association in Beijing. Dr. Henry Louis Gates of Harvard University has described Professor Weaver as "...one of the most significant poets writing today." Ed Ochester, professor emeritus at University of Pittsburgh has said Professor Weaver is "...the African American successor to Walt Whitman." We'll learn about Professor Weaver's journeys and his Plum Flower Trilogy and more. See: http://www.simmons.edu/Faculty/Afaa-Weaver

Mr. James B. Heimowitz is the president of the China Institute in America in New York City. Founded in 1926 by a group of distinguished American and Chinese educators, the Institute's mission seeks to advance a deeper understanding of China through its programs in education, business, culture and the arts in the belief that cross-cultural understanding strengthens our global community. Its new headquarters in Lower Manhattan has been the setting for a lecture series I've been attending on China's greatest emperors. See: http://www.chinainstitute.org

In the weeks ahead these amazing personalities and many others will enrich our journey of understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and the dazzling nations of the Pacific Rim. We'll continue to have our other show features such as Paths to the Past and the weekly Confucius Moment, too!

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim is made possible by the program's title-sponsor, Beijing AmBridge Culture Development, Ltd., and by CEO Offices and Penang Grill, both in Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

Coming Up: Historic Philadelphia, Inc. President & CEO, Amy Needle and the Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square

Chinese culture and tradition lights up the evenings in Philadelphia’s Franklin Square with the first-ever Chinese Lantern Festival in the northeastern USA. The square at 6th and Race streets in the City of Brotherly Love is celebrating its tenth birthday. 

My guest on the next Saturday broadcast of Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim on AM1490 WGCH and WGCH.com is Amy Needle, CEO and President of Historic Philadelphia. 

We’ll be introduced to the origins of this festival, the significance of Franklin Square, background about the Chinese artisans who designed the lanterns, what they signify -and how you can enjoy this Chinese Lantern Festival and other nightly entertainment. 

Tune in this coming Saturday morning, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Coming Up This Coming Saturday: Brandon Yu

Meet Brandon Yu, my next guest on the Conversations segment of The Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim Show. 

A week ago this Parkway Elementary School fifth-grade historian made the pages of Greenwich Time. 

Later this week Brandon Yu is heading off to the national finals in the National History Bee for a third consecutive year -and there's more to come! 

This is one conversation you won't want to miss. Be sure to tune in to AM1490 WGCH and everywhere on WGCH.com this Saturday morning 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Eastern USA Time.

China Insight: From Railroad Workers to Flying Tigers: A Legacy of Progress, May 2016 Edition

China Insight is published monthly -except July/August and November/December are combined- by China Insight, Inc., an independent, privately-owned company started in 2001 and headquartered in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, USA. 

It is the only English-language American newspaper to focus exclusively on connections between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).  

The May 2016 edition features this article, From Railroad Workers to Flying Tigers: A Legacy of Progress, co-authored by Carolyn Kuhn, Gene Chan and Bill Chen. Go to this link and download an online version of the May 2016 edition. 

Many of you who are listeners of this show will remember that on February 20 Major General William Chen was interviewed. (Click here for the announcement)   

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the USA. The 2016 observances and celebrations are off to a good start! 

Our thanks to Bill Chen for providing us with this fascinating article.