"This organization’s [the Chinese Community Council] main objective is to look after the welfare of the Chinese . . . of San Antonio . . . and to keep a good relationship with the rest of the community.

"It was decided by the organization that if we were being discriminated against, we would not resort to violence to express our dislike. We decided if the other citizens felt we were not as good as they, we would be patient, educate ourselves so to be assets to the community and create such status of being desired by the rest of the population. This is the Chinese-American way.

"[The Chinese-American Citizens Alliance] urges the Chinese-Americans to vote and get involved in civic and political activities so as to know and be better known in the community."

"We pride ourselves that we were not in the breadlines during the depression. I guess the big thing is we take care of our own. For example, when those of the older generation find themselves hard pressed to pay for food, the restaurants allow them to buy meals for cost or in many cases . . . for free."

Tom Lee [quoted in the San Antonio Express News,
April 13, 1969] came from China in 1931.

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Copyright 1999
The University of Texas

Institute of Texan Cultures
at San Antonio