Board Bill 32
Does It Really Matter?
June 7, 2024 was a historic day for the the City of St. Louis and the Community as a whole, including the Chinese-American Community. It was a day that the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen passed Board Bill 32, a Bill to recognize those Chinese that came before us to St. Louis, looking for opportunities, including a lone Chinese man, Alla Lee, when he arrived as early as pre-civil war 1857.
June 7, 2024 was a day, 58 years after the last building in our downtown Chinatown was demolished, for the cause of Urban Renewal. A Chinatown that until 1966, had existed for nearly a century. This is a familiar story, as Chinatowns across the U.S. are endangered.
In fact, on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “11 Most Endangered Historic Places 2023” the Chinatowns in Seattle and Philadelphia were on the list. For the 2024 list, Little Tokyo in L.A. made the list. And if you are following the current news, the City of Philadelphia is forging ahead, in spite of community opposition, in support of a contentious proposed development project for a sports arena. Arena versus Community. https://savingplaces.org/chinatowns/updates/philly-mayor-moves-forward-with-76ers-arena-near-chinatown
Philadelphia Chinatown (G. Widman, Visit Philadelphia)
So, was this June 7, 2024, a great day or a bit bittersweet and too late?
Photos: Missouri Historical Society (left), State Historical Society of Missouri (right)
Why now? Is it too late? Does it matter? I have often debated (and admittedly vented) with my fellow cultural community advocates who are also researching, advocating and telling AAPI Stories, if some of our efforts matter. Deep inside, I get angry knowing that it took years (sometimes over a century) for people (even friends) to try and understand the challenges of another era and the hardships imposed on a community or individual. Often this theme seems to be race related.
Is this because of a true resistance to accepting this history?
Is it because we (or someone) didn’t teach this history?
Is it a lack of empathy?
Do we now live by 8 second sound bites?
One example of my internal conflict, is the topic of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (and similar celebratory months). One point of view is, why are we relegating this recognition (understanding) to only a single month? The other view is, no, we are simply raising awareness, so that is a positive thing
In our world of “correctness” I do know that some (corporations and politicians) simply treat such recognition months as a way to “check the box” that they care. But we know that often this is not genuine. Does this matter or should we accept what we can get? Being Seen is important, but not particularly, if not Heard.
While this may not be great reasoning or conclusive in any manner, it is nevertheless always on my mind these days. And I think that is a good thing. I am always thinking, wondering and civilly challenging the “norms” when appropriate.
My colleagues and fellow story tellers would remind that, ultimately, it does matter, even if it only resonates with a few. Educating 1 person (more than none) not only means someone was been reached or hopefully touched, but that person may now be a bridge to others. The thread of knowledge may weave through to the next set of challenges.
So, this brings me back to Board Bill 32.
Our champion of AAPI representation, KSDK news anchor Michelle Li (and co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation), had the ear of City of St. Louis Alderwoman, Cara Spencer, to let her know about our Lost Chinatown. Cara is the alderwoman representing downtown St. Louis where Chinatown once existed, so she was receptive to learn more.
And so, the journey began of educating, advocating and writing a Bill. This journey would take us through an aldermanic committee education and review process, multiple public committee hearings, then upon committee consent, on to the full Board of Alderman. Repeating this cycle education, advocating and public hearings, I attended every meeting. And no, this was not my job to do, but someone had to represent and advocate. I had the privilege of taking time away from job.
During this legislative process, what cemented (and corrected) my views toward “does this matter” was when Alderwoman Spencer, during both the committee phase and the full board phase, took to the dais to bring forth the Bill.
First, she admitted, as a St. Louisan, of not knowing there was a Chinatown. She regretted this lack of knowledge of this history and expressed her gratitude that someone educated her.
But it was when she would read the Board Bill language that touched me. She would be overcome with emotions as she read, even if she had read it in a prior session. She had to take long pauses, voice clearly shaken, then proceed to read the Bill. You see, this Bill was not written as just a celebratory moment to recognize a Place. The Bill was written to reveal and explain the history of some dark times in St. Louis and U.S history for People, for the Chinese-Americans, and to tell some stories that were never told or taught.
For that moment alone, a person was reached, educated and touched. And through that person, the thread of knowledge was being passed on to others. First, to the chamber of the Board of Alderman, then onto the desk of the Mayor of St. Louis and now, recorded and in the archives of the City of St. Louis.
Following is the full Board Bill 32, co-authored by myself and Michelle Li. An honorary street sign will be created and erected in the near future.
It Really Does Matter. What was reinforced to me in this effort was that it matters to learn about the People that laid the groundwork for us today, be it good and bad.
Now we can celebrate the memories of this place where people (and families) lived, old and young, calling it their home. It will be permanently recognized for paving the way for those that followed
Photos: Leong Family Collection, Prom Magazine, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis Republic.
In early 2025, we aim to have a ceremony to install the signage to publically recognize that St. Louis did have a downtown Chinatown that it matters to remember this history.
