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Hundreds gather at short notice to pay respects to Mr. Huan Chen at 3rd Street VIGIL.
A small group did its best to inform as many people as possible at short notice to hold a VIGIL. The results were spectacular. The Polynesians, the many Chinese, the Philippino community, the Black, White, Native American, Latino, others were all there, at 3rd and Palou. All, gathered to honor Mr. Huan Chen. A 83 year old Chinese man - who died as a result of a senseless beating at the hands of a youth and his peers in January. Many speeches were made and where there is a podium - those that want their five minutes of fame - make sure they get it.
Mr. Huan Chen a well educated man who love poetry and traveling - nature and was a kind and compassionate man - encountered some youth at 3rd and Palou in January at the Oakdale Third Street Lightrail. What is told to us and what is we gather from the camera that captured the beating - we see some youth - attack this 83 year old man for no reason.
A couple of month later after spending many weeks in hospital - watched his youngest son who lives in Florida - Mr. Huan Chen passed away. The beating was too man for his frail body and the trauma too much for his compassionate heart. May his soul rest in peace.
Three days ago I happened to be at 3rd and Palou and was approached by some young Chinese men that I know. They asked if it was possible to have a Vigil and get people to attend it. I said let us give it our best shot - and what happened today - was short of a miracle.
The Bayview has always embraced people from all walks of life. The Chinese were in the Bayview before the Blacks came in the 40s and 50s in some numbers. In 1850 the Chinese had a pretty big population - they caught fish by the tons and dried the fish and sold it. They worked hard and those that recorded the history have left us with words and many photographs.
Over the years - many Blacks will tell you of sound relationships with many Chinese that lived in the Bayview Hunters Point and with whom they went to school in the Bayview. The same with the Polynesians and with the other ethnic groups the French, the Latino, the Maltese, and so on.
It is only in the last five years that some have created some animosity towards the Chinese that have moved in the Bayview. Of course - one must remember the Chinese that lived here a long time ago - managed to endure some discrimination but endured it and won over thousands.
Chinese men built the railway and built other monuments that today's young Chinese have NO clue about. Young Blacks today see the Chinese buy homes and think they are loaded with money. The Chinese stick together and gather money from relatives - that, they all pool together and buy a home and if there are opportunities and they have the money - they will buy the entire block.
Those of us that do not have the ability to create such subtle but very efficacious fiscal strategies - must learn from the Chinese and if we fail and cannot compete with them - the shame is on us.
I am relating the above because many folks think that when they see a Chinese - the Chinese may have money - and this is not the case - many a time. The poorer Chinese that take Public Transportation mostly worked hard and get by month to month. I have encountered many cases over the last 30 years - of mugging and beating on victims mostly Chinese old women - by thugs that want their money and get mostly nothing or little money. These are the poorer Chinese that fall victims. The rich Chinese have cars - and you have a fat chance robbing a Chinese in a fancy car or a fancy home - well alarmed for the fool that ventures - close by.
Recently some Chinese victims that were assaulted were attacked because the "thugs" want their money. The woman that was choked and then flung from the platform at Williams and Third did not die but was badly injured. But just like Mr. Huan Chen she is still traumatized. In this case after the attack - other Blacks came to her rescue this information is not told to the public at large.
Such attacks on the Chinese cannot be compared to the many shootings and killings taking place in the Bayview Hunters Point. The Black on Black - killings and shootings are despicable and the fault lies with the parents and the many Churches and the pastors - that are pandering to BIG developers.
Fat chance of seeing Big Bell, George Lee, Aurelious Walker at the Vigil - but you will see them at City Hall fighting for Jobs and Homes on land that is polluted. Why? Because some one give them money and when one worships mammon - the Shepherd could care less for the sheep.
Pastor Calvin Jones was not present on time and came late and had a lot to say - but most of it was hot air.
Archbishop Franzo King was on time and when he spoke - the message was clear. He spoke about the community and the responsibility of the elders and compassion. So, did Pastor Alex Toeaina who was on time and spoke about the spirit - besides one's mind and body. We are all children of God - but respect comes from first respecting oneself. If one cannot respect oneself how can a human being have a clue first about respect itself and then somehow respecting - others.
We see our children harmed by pollution as Archbishop Franzo King pointed out - given no opportunities, going hungry, many fathers jailed - leaving children with single mothers and young people preyed upon and left to the wind. It is such youth - left to fend for themselves - that prey on others and think it is a means of survival and right. Wrong.
This VIGIL the first of its kind - led by the Chinese community and helped by others - should garner support from women, youth, and men of good faith. In future the many that jumped on the bandwagon should not be entertained - just for the sake of being entertained.
A Vigil has a spiritual meaning for those that are ignorant. If you do not have a spiritual message stay out. If you do join in - do it with humility. For your five minutes of fame - go elsewhere - where you can spew diatribe and push your hidden agenda.
Kudos to Captain Gregory Suhr. I saw a representative from Assembly Fiona Ma office. I saw Supervisor Eric Mar and Sophie Maxwell. Tony Kelly and Steve Moss future candidates running for District 10 were in the crowd.
Rudy Corpus was there with the United Playaz and they gave all much love.
The Chinese population was well represented and the SF Police Department out in full force. The resident from All Hallows were there in force - Mr. Huan Chen had some relationship with that Catholic organization. You see them hold a sign in the photographs that I have taken.
All in all a good Vigil. My wish and that of many others - time for the Violence to Stop and the Healing to Begin.
Enjoy the photographs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157623812602618/show/
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
**********************************
**********************************
A couple of month later after spending many weeks in hospital - watched his youngest son who lives in Florida - Mr. Huan Chen passed away. The beating was too man for his frail body and the trauma too much for his compassionate heart. May his soul rest in peace.
Three days ago I happened to be at 3rd and Palou and was approached by some young Chinese men that I know. They asked if it was possible to have a Vigil and get people to attend it. I said let us give it our best shot - and what happened today - was short of a miracle.
The Bayview has always embraced people from all walks of life. The Chinese were in the Bayview before the Blacks came in the 40s and 50s in some numbers. In 1850 the Chinese had a pretty big population - they caught fish by the tons and dried the fish and sold it. They worked hard and those that recorded the history have left us with words and many photographs.
Over the years - many Blacks will tell you of sound relationships with many Chinese that lived in the Bayview Hunters Point and with whom they went to school in the Bayview. The same with the Polynesians and with the other ethnic groups the French, the Latino, the Maltese, and so on.
It is only in the last five years that some have created some animosity towards the Chinese that have moved in the Bayview. Of course - one must remember the Chinese that lived here a long time ago - managed to endure some discrimination but endured it and won over thousands.
Chinese men built the railway and built other monuments that today's young Chinese have NO clue about. Young Blacks today see the Chinese buy homes and think they are loaded with money. The Chinese stick together and gather money from relatives - that, they all pool together and buy a home and if there are opportunities and they have the money - they will buy the entire block.
Those of us that do not have the ability to create such subtle but very efficacious fiscal strategies - must learn from the Chinese and if we fail and cannot compete with them - the shame is on us.
I am relating the above because many folks think that when they see a Chinese - the Chinese may have money - and this is not the case - many a time. The poorer Chinese that take Public Transportation mostly worked hard and get by month to month. I have encountered many cases over the last 30 years - of mugging and beating on victims mostly Chinese old women - by thugs that want their money and get mostly nothing or little money. These are the poorer Chinese that fall victims. The rich Chinese have cars - and you have a fat chance robbing a Chinese in a fancy car or a fancy home - well alarmed for the fool that ventures - close by.
Recently some Chinese victims that were assaulted were attacked because the "thugs" want their money. The woman that was choked and then flung from the platform at Williams and Third did not die but was badly injured. But just like Mr. Huan Chen she is still traumatized. In this case after the attack - other Blacks came to her rescue this information is not told to the public at large.
Such attacks on the Chinese cannot be compared to the many shootings and killings taking place in the Bayview Hunters Point. The Black on Black - killings and shootings are despicable and the fault lies with the parents and the many Churches and the pastors - that are pandering to BIG developers.
Fat chance of seeing Big Bell, George Lee, Aurelious Walker at the Vigil - but you will see them at City Hall fighting for Jobs and Homes on land that is polluted. Why? Because some one give them money and when one worships mammon - the Shepherd could care less for the sheep.
Pastor Calvin Jones was not present on time and came late and had a lot to say - but most of it was hot air.
Archbishop Franzo King was on time and when he spoke - the message was clear. He spoke about the community and the responsibility of the elders and compassion. So, did Pastor Alex Toeaina who was on time and spoke about the spirit - besides one's mind and body. We are all children of God - but respect comes from first respecting oneself. If one cannot respect oneself how can a human being have a clue first about respect itself and then somehow respecting - others.
We see our children harmed by pollution as Archbishop Franzo King pointed out - given no opportunities, going hungry, many fathers jailed - leaving children with single mothers and young people preyed upon and left to the wind. It is such youth - left to fend for themselves - that prey on others and think it is a means of survival and right. Wrong.
This VIGIL the first of its kind - led by the Chinese community and helped by others - should garner support from women, youth, and men of good faith. In future the many that jumped on the bandwagon should not be entertained - just for the sake of being entertained.
A Vigil has a spiritual meaning for those that are ignorant. If you do not have a spiritual message stay out. If you do join in - do it with humility. For your five minutes of fame - go elsewhere - where you can spew diatribe and push your hidden agenda.
Kudos to Captain Gregory Suhr. I saw a representative from Assembly Fiona Ma office. I saw Supervisor Eric Mar and Sophie Maxwell. Tony Kelly and Steve Moss future candidates running for District 10 were in the crowd.
Rudy Corpus was there with the United Playaz and they gave all much love.
The Chinese population was well represented and the SF Police Department out in full force. The resident from All Hallows were there in force - Mr. Huan Chen had some relationship with that Catholic organization. You see them hold a sign in the photographs that I have taken.
All in all a good Vigil. My wish and that of many others - time for the Violence to Stop and the Healing to Begin.
Enjoy the photographs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodacosta/sets/72157623812602618/show/
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
**********************************
**********************************
For more information:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/franciscodaco...
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