吴华扬：致新移民的一封公开信
致新移民的一封公开信
吴华扬（原作）殷余民（中文编辑）
我最近得到一个深刻的教训，让我永生难忘！
我写的一篇关于美国亚裔运动和新来的中国移民的博客，在网上被广泛流传。我写那个博客的初衷是想促成合作，敦促老一辈的社会活动家们去接触和尊重新近赴美的中国同胞们，虽然他们不一定完全认同我们追求和理念。
但是，光是良好的愿望是不够的，最重要的是结果。我的（博客里的）一些用词和语气，没有能够从读者的角度去考虑它们的敏感性。许多人（对我的原文）的理解跟我的初衷恰恰相反。他们认为我，一个为自己的中国背景自豪的美国人，（居高临下地）表现了相对于中国新移民的优越感。
我不会去责怪被（我的博客）冒犯的人们（的批评），我更不会去怨恨为此受到伤害的朋友们。我理解他们的想法，他们意识到“我们”与“他们”的不同，但我们共同的愿望是“他们”和“我们”是一体的。
作为更正，我再次重申：建设沟通桥梁的工作是至关重要的，这意味着跨越太平洋，包含白人和黑人，也包括广大的中国侨民（的沟通与理解）。另外代沟的减少也需要努力再努力。
对我所敬仰的维权人士，包括我自己在内，为了我们长期为之奋斗争取权利的（华人）社区（的长远利益），我提出以下两点。
首先，作为一个原则问题，我们必须具有包容性。这是一个很简单的道理：如果我们和他们厮打，我们就不能说我们正在为他们战斗。那样（至少）是虚伪的。
第二，如果这（第一条）还不足以说明问题，人口趋势在那儿摆着呢。我们绝不能轻视那些与我们（背景）相似而仅仅是比我们晚来几年的同胞。我们，不分彼此，都必须相互欢迎，这不仅仅是为了战略的考虑。
（我觉得）如果第一点尚不能被完全接受的话，第二点应该更容易为大家所接受。
种族，文化和身份问题往往充满争议，容易被误读，特别是在交流对象可能完全是陌生人的社交媒体上。但我也认识到自己应该表达得更加清楚。我被委以重任，作为华人的代表，我既荣幸亦惶恐，因为这意味着我必须承担更重大的责任。
请允许我作一个总结，许多联系我的读者们已（对我的博客）作出通常只有亲朋好友才会有的热烈回应。我（永远都会热烈）拥抱那些从中国来到美国的新移民。我的父母就曾经是新移民中的一员。如果不是他们的牺牲，就不会有今天的我，他们的梦想继续蔓延到世界各地。我的父亲帮助我认识到我造成的问题，我们 - 特别是我 - 可以做得更好。
我非常赞赏与我争辩的朋友们的自信心，大家都应该站起来和他们一样地发声。
备注：我的博客是我的个人言论，他人不必为此承担风险。就是说，我的感悟是我个人的，也仅限于我个人。任何一个我有幸隶属的优秀机构，都不应该（为我的言论）受到任何影响，包括加州大学黑斯廷斯大学法学院，百人会和美国教育部。
（编译于2017年3月22日）
附: 英文原文 （from Huffington Post）
A Public Letter To New Chinese Immigrants
03/22/2017 12:59 am ET | Updated 03/22/2017 9:00 am ET
I have learned a profound lesson. I will never forget it.
about the Asian American movement and newer Chinese immigrants. It went “viral.” I had hoped to promote cooperation. I urged an audience of progressive activists to reach out and respect their cousins who have arrived more recently and might not agree with all of their advocacy.
However, good intentions are not enough; consequences matter. I was insensitive to how the words would be received, including in translation and repetition. Many people interpreted my message as its opposite. They understood me as saying I, an American proud to be of Chinese heritage, felt superior to Chinese who have come to these shores in the past generation.
An apology that implies the offended party was to blame is hardly worthwhile. I do not begrudge my friends who were hurt. I see how they inferred tone. “They” noticed the framing of “us” versus “them.” The shared aspiration is for “them” and “us” to be as one.
To make amends, it is worth repeating: Bridge building is crucial. That means across the Pacific Ocean, as well as with whites and blacks. Yet it also encompasses the vast Chinese diaspora. There are generational divides that can be united through effort, and only through effort.
In addressing the long-time civil rights champions, whom I admire, about the community for whom they would fight, among whom I count myself, I made two points.
First, as a matter of principle, we must strive to be inclusive. This is a pure concept. We cannot say we are fighting for someone if in fact we are fighting with them. It would be hypocritical.
Second, if that were not persuasive on its own, the demographic trends matter. We cannot condescend to people who are like us but for a few years difference in residence here. All of us, “we” and “they,” must be welcoming. That is not simply for strategy. But for those to whom I was speaking, unwilling to accept the first point, they ought to be won over by the second point.
It might be tempting to suggest that issues of race, culture, and identity are fraught, contentious, and subject to misreading. That is all the more so played out among strangers through social media. But I realize that I should have been more clear. I am entrusted with a leadership role. I am both honored and humbled that others believe I can represent them, including to those who already have stereotypes in their head that are less than positive. That means I have to fulfill a responsibility.
Please allow me to conclude personally. So many who had contacted me have responded with the intensity we usually reserve for intimates. I embrace those who have come from China to America. My parents were once among them. I would not be who I am but for their sacrifices. They believed in a dream that continues to beckon the world over. Indeed, my father helped me appreciate the problem I caused. We — specifically I — can do better.
I applaud those who would argue with me for their assertiveness. If only we all stood up and spoke out as they do.
Addendum. Speaking for myself subjects others to risks. Needless to say, my observations are mine, and mine alone. None of those great institutions with which I am privileged to be affiliated should be impugned by any of this, ranging from University of California Hastings College of the Law to Committee of 100 to the United States Department of Education.作者：吴华扬 (Frank Wu)
作者简介：吴华扬(Frank Wu)，法学教授、作家、社会活动人士。美国加州大学黑斯汀法学院教授， 美国百人会(Committee of 100)现任会长。他加入百人会已有15年，长期参与华人社区服务，曾帮助主办为华裔科学家陈霞芬女士维权的北加州筹款活动，以及为俄州华人协会（OCAA）举办的陈霞芬听证会的集会活动提供法律援助。
《美国时代的落幕？》
《我在美国监狱当心理治疗师》
本文由作者投稿，内容不一定代表“美国华人”微信公众号立场。
一个客观公正的公众号
长按识别二维码，加关注
微信公众号：ChineseAmericans
网站：ChineseAmerican.org
投稿请邮至：editor@ChineseAmerican.org
阅读原文 Read more
阅读“美国华人”精选文章