January 2024 Program

Join us in ringing in the New Year as we reflect on the past, celebrating the Chinese immigrant ancestors who paved the way for our American journey. In this continuation of “Three Coins,” we delve into the tale of a young Chinese boy who, armed with a blank journal, a fortune teller’s scroll predicting his life’s path, and an ardent desire to embrace American identity, arrived in Oregon in 1877.

During the 1880s in the Pacific Northwest, Chinese communities faced expulsion from Tacoma, Seattle, Portland, and Oregon City. However, the story in the small town of Salem, Oregon, unfolded remarkably differently. In the midst of a social experiment, figures like Hop Lee and George Sun, alongside a handful of Chinese individuals, crafted a unique narrative.

Like our forebears, these young Chinese immigrants confronted a world marked by exclusion through anti-Chinese laws and attitudes. Responding with resilience, patience, and humor, they navigated these challenges, forming friendships and achieving financial success. To realize his dream of putting down roots and starting a family, Hop Lee must find the rarest of jewels—an American-born Chinese girl to form his own Willow Forest.

While the Chinese eventually departed Salem by the 1930s, the narrative of the Chinese and White communities in the city spanned four decades, characterized by mutual respect and affection. This tale merits exploration, particularly in light of today’s prevailing anti-Asian attitudes and rhetoric.

This book and presentation celebrate the immigrant spirit born from the diversity which is at the heart of our nation.

Co-sponsored by: Chinese Historical Society of Southern California and The China Society of Southern California

Speaker Bio

Russell Low is a physician with a passion for discovery and storytelling. His discoveries in the medical field have changed the way that his colleagues worldwide practice medicine and image disease. Discovery of his own roots began 30 years ago through the stories of his parents and their siblings. Growing up in Central California, more American than Chinese, his connection to Chinese culture and history was limited and incomplete.

Russell frequently lectures on Chinese-American history, and his family’s story has been featured on the History Channel, National Public Radio, the Voice of America, and the Smithsonian Museum of American History.