Book Launch, Chinese Islanders: Making a Home in the New World, September 30
The much anticipated book, Chinese Islanders: Making a Home in the New World, by Hung-Min Chiang will be launched on Saturday, September 30 at Memorial Hall in the Confederation Centre of the Arts, from 7 to 9 pm.
Dr. Hung-Min Chiang, originally from Taiwan, came to Prince Edward Island with his family in 1967. A student of world renowned 20th century psychologist Abraham Maslow, Dr. Chiang taught psychology at Prince of Wales College and the University of Prince Edward Island until his retirement in 1991. He is fondly remembered as a favourite professor by many.
Chinese Islanders: Making a Home in the New World tells the story of some of Prince Edward Island's first Chinese settlers who came to the Island as early as 1850. They were subjected to the infamous "head tax," as well as the more severe Chinese Immigration Act (also known as the Chinese Expulsion Act). But through it all, they and their descendants have largely adapted to and succeeded in mainstream Island society, and are proud today to be recognized as true Islanders.
John Cousins, Prince Edward Island's one of pre-eminent folklorists, writes this in his introduction: Hung-Min Chiang set out to write this history of the Chinese Canadian community in Prince Edward Island because, as he was told, "no one else would do it." What a daunting task it must have been. No group of Islanders would be harder to document than these few Chinese settlers, who, for obvious reasons, preferred to remain anonymous, and to live below the social horizon, leading "quiet inconspicuous lives." There were few records, fewer accurate ones, no personal biographies for guidance, negligible letters, and no survivors from the early days.
Added to that was a "discontinuing of generations," a period of decline between the 1940s and 1960s when the community came close to disappearing. Nevertheless, Chiang has accomplished a series of minor miracles. These were the realities of the Chinese community and the author does not avoid them. Rather, he recounts them with a serenity that carries with it the sublime sadness of the human plight. And this, in my opinion, is the work's great strength."
During the book launch, there will be a live musical performance on the Guzheng (zither) by Chor-wai Hui, a Calligraphy Demonstration by Yong-lin (Ginger) Ren, and an Exhibit curated By Dr. Ann Howatt. The Institute of Island Studies invites all to attend.
