A good day to be Canadian
Canada’s history, the CBC, and me
My take on the history of Canada, Chinese Canadian style.
Equal rights for all: An uncertain homecoming, Part III
After WWII, the Chinese gained the franchise, but waited two decades to be reunited with their families.
An uncertain homecoming, Part II: Fight the enemy overseas, then fight the government at home – 1945-47
Chinese Canadians enlist in WWII, hoping to prove themselves worthy of civil rights, but find not much has changed after the war. This is Part II of An uncertain homecoming.
An uncertain homecoming, Part I: WWII, the Chinese, and the fight for civil rights 1939-1967
Introduction Like all (Chinese) Canadians, I have been given a gift of priceless value: the gift of civil rights. I have not worked for this gift. I doubt I’ve earned it. Worst of all, I haven’t known who to thank for it, nor how much it cost. I’ve just taken it all for granted – […]
The hairdresser spy: Andrée Virot
This is a story about Andrée Virot, a woman in the French Resistance. She was personally responsible for saving the lives of over 100 Allied airmen who were shot down over Europe. She was the tail end of several escape lines through Europe, and for 3 years, she operated under the nose of the Gestapo. I wanted… Continue reading The hairdresser spy: Andrée Virot
The right to be a Canadian: Irving Himel, K. Dock Yip, and The Committee for the Repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act
Voting. It's complicated. Canada has been reluctant to share her treasures, at least to its non-male, non-white peoples. Nearly 70 years ago, Canada's Chinese, Japanese, and South Asian people won the right to vote in Canada. It had been a long time coming. You may know the story of the Famous Five*, who fought for and won women's voting… Continue reading The right to be a Canadian: Irving Himel, K. Dock Yip, and The Committee for the Repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act
8 tips on deciphering Chinese characters for the illiterate
How do you read Chinese when you don't read Chinese? (This is not a riddle.) It's not my family's fault I'm illiterate. They offered to send me to Chinese school. It was me who refused. Heaven knows, I've come to regret it, and I've even made a few attempts at learning the language as an… Continue reading 8 tips on deciphering Chinese characters for the illiterate
Why is everyone called Shee?
Ever wondered why all the historical Chinese married women have the same name?
Top 10 tips for beginner genealogists
Top tips for beginner genealogists
