This article was submitted by Rebecca Tam, a business student at Chapman University. She is the granddaughter of Margie Tam.
During my second semester at Chapman University, I decided to declare a minor in Asian American Studies. (My major is business administration.). While taking an introductory course, my class read a non-fiction book called “Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People” (2000) by Helen Zia; along with other novels by Asian-American authors.
I consider Zia a trailblazer for the Asian-American community because of her work as an author, journalist, and activist. That isn’t all. Zia is involved in activism and advocacy within both the Asian American and the LGBTQIA+ communities.
Breaking Through
She has broken through barriers and stereotypes, and documented Asian-American history, and their struggles, and achievements in her book “Asian American Dreams.” Zia was among the first women to graduate from Princeton’s first coeducational class (1973). Her class consisted of only 20 Asian Americans: 16 men and four women.
During college, she joined a committee of Black, Latino, and Asian American students who decided to make the university address the racial inequities on campus. This is where her passion and drive for justice began. Zia has actively advocated for civil rights, social justice, and equality, particularly within the Asian-American community. She is vocal about the rights and struggles of Asian Americans and other marginalized communities.
Fighting Racism
Zia co-founded the “American Citizens for Justice” (ACJ), a multi-ethnic civil rights organization dedicated to seeking justice for the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin, and addressing broader issues of racism and violence. Chin, a Chinese American, was beaten to death in a hate crime by two Detroit auto workers who blamed Chin for massive lay-offs in the auto industry. Before slipping into a coma, Chin’s last words were, “It’s not fair.” His killers pled guilty to manslaughter, and were sentenced to probation. The judge, explaining the sentence, said, “These aren’t the kind of men you send to jail. . .”
The ACJ fosters alliances and bridges individuals from various backgrounds to advocate for justice and positive change. Regarding Vincent Chin’s murder, the ACJ continues to raise awareness about the hate crime that led to the first federal civil rights trial seeking justice for an Asian American to have been killed allegedly because of his race. This is important now, as we have seen increases in hate crimes against Asian Americans (mainly directed towards Chinese Americans) because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Promoting Awareness
Zia has also been involved in LGBTQIA+ activism. Open about being a lesbian, she has worked to address the intersectional challenges faced by individuals within both the Asian-American and LGBTQIA+ community. Zia writes extensively about LGBTQIA+ topics in her writings, like when the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) became the second non-gay national civil rights organization to support marriage equality for same-sex couples. Her advocacy has helped raise awareness and promote understanding.
Zia has played a vital role in promoting the visibility of Asian Americans in the media. In the 1980s, she was among the founders of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA). As president of AAJA’s New York chapter, she spoke about the underrepresentation of Asian Americans in newsrooms, and she advocated for fair and accurate coverage of Asian Americans. Her achievements in the field of journalism have opened doors for future generations of Asian Americans aiming to become journalists.
Her book “Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People”is widely recognized as an influential work in the field, providing insights into the experiences and aspirations of Asian Americans. Zia’s trailblazing contributions to journalism, activism, and advocacy have significantly impacted the Asian American community. Her work has paved the way for greater representation, empowerment, and social progress for Asian Americans and other marginalized groups.
Rebecca Tam is a studying to become a digital marketing manager. Her interests include editing, cooking/baking, and traveling.
