In the vibrant heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, the Wah Ying Club has been a beacon of community resilience for 90 years, actively promoting dialogue among minority groups to combat anti-Asian hate. This initiative, known as Stop Asian Hate, has emerged as a nationwide movement driven by Asian Americans advocating for equality and opposing racial discrimination, representing a pivotal moment in the Asian community’s ongoing quest for racial equity in the U.S. Over the past three years, this movement has energized more Asian community members to engage in politics and mainstream societal issues, injecting fresh energy into the fight for equality.
Founded in 1935 by veterans of the Flying Tigers, the Wah Ying Club has historically functioned as an “unofficial police department” in Chinatown, focusing on community safety. Recently, the club has actively engaged with local police, district attorney’s offices, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Secret Service, providing a forum for community members to address their real challenges and needs. They’ve also represented Chinatown at multi-ethnic community seminars, advocating for the civil rights of Chinese Americans and rallying support.
Jeff Lee, the president of the Wah Ying Club, is optimistic as the outcry for Asian American rights gains momentum. Born at the East China Hospital in Chinatown and later moving to the Richmond District, Lee recalls the struggles faced by the Chinese community during the 1950s and 60s, battling racial discrimination, stereotypes, and exclusion. “In the early ’50s, we faced immense challenges; no landlords wanted to rent to Chinese families. My parents had to find white intermediaries to help us get homes,” he shared.
Reflecting on his school experiences, Lee recounted how “Chinese students often faced bullying from peers. We worked extremely hard to excel, both academically and athletically, to prove that we could succeed too.” He emphasized that these experiences have strengthened him, enabling him to balance Eastern and Western cultural values while promoting unity, solidarity, and diversity through interethnic dialogue.
Lee believes that the historical challenges faced by the Chinese community provide crucial lessons for the younger generation. Today’s educated Chinese youth have the potential to significantly impact fields like technology, business, political leadership, and human rights, showcasing their untapped abilities.
In light of rising anti-Asian sentiments and growing tensions between the U.S. and China, Lee is concerned about the widening emotional disconnect, which is exacerbated by increasing distrust and hostility. The Flying Tigers represent one of the rare moments of cooperation between the U.S. and China against a common adversary. The Wah Ying Club embodies this spirit, aiming to leverage this historical legacy to mend interpersonal and international relations in the post-pandemic landscape.
“The Flying Tigers are one of the few groups that made sacrifices for both the U.S. and China during the war,” Lee noted. At last year’s APEC summit in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged and expressed gratitude for their support. Additionally, the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco recently collaborated with the Guangxi provincial government to host an exhibition highlighting the Flying Tigers’ efforts alongside Chinese civilians in overcoming shared challenges.
Lee stresses that this wartime cooperation should encourage both nations today to view each other as allies, cherishing the bonds created throughout history rather than seeing one another as foes.
As hate crimes continue to pose a significant challenge for law enforcement, the definition itself has evolved, encompassing everything from verbal assaults to rising property crimes against Asian-owned businesses, as well as more subtle forms of workplace bullying. As a younger advocate in the civil rights movement, Lee supports learning from other minority groups to utilize shared experiences as a foundation for progress.
Through his work with the San Francisco Community Alliance (SFCAUSE), Lee invites leaders from various Bay Area communities to engage in discussions about specific issues and challenges, fostering a vision of solidarity, unity, and diversity.
Regarding the insights Asian communities can draw from the Stop Asian Hate movement, Lee underscores the necessity of being proactive in asserting their rights and confronting discrimination, ensuring accountability for those who perpetrate hate.
“Sadly, many people still harbor discriminatory beliefs, even if they don’t express them openly,” Lee observed. “I’ve been firmly committed to seeking accountability. Allowing such attitudes to persist without consequences only invites further discrimination. We simply can’t let that happen.”
