California Town Apologizes for Past Discrimination Against Chinese-Americans

By Winny Lin

Many of you probably have visited a quaint little town by Highway 1 with some of the world’s most dramatic ocean views —Monterey, California. Nobel prize author John Steinbeck also fueled its popularity and fame with his book “Cannery Row." But you probably didn't know that it's not just a place abundant with marine wildlife and fresh seafood. There is Chinese-American history there.

Ten years ago, my husband Kenny and I flew to California from Kentucky to visit our children during Christmas break. My daughter suggested we tour the infamous Cannery Row in Monterey Bay. As I was trying to take in all the beautiful water, the tourists’ hot spots, and souvenir shops, I was distracted by some signage at the end of Cannery Row. It mentioned that Chinese fishermen used to live here. I even vaguely remember seeing some little houses that were marked as their residences. It wasn't until years later when I moved to California that I learned more.

In 2014, Kenny and I moved to the Bay Area in California to be closer to our children and grandkids. Somehow we connected with the South Bay Chapter of US-China Peoples’ Friendship Association and met Gerry Low-Sabado at one of the meetings. As a 5th generation descendant of the Chinese fishermen, she was passionate and active in bringing community awareness of the contributions of the Chinese fishermen in Pacific Grove and Monterey Bay. She was interviewed by local tv stations and made special presentations for the Monterey Aquarium. I have always loved the history of Chinese-Americans so I was excited to become friends with Gerry and learn more about these fishermen. Unfortunately Gerry died of a brain tumor in September 2021, but her legacy has continued.

On May 14, 2022, nine of us joined hundreds of others to attend the annual "Walk of Remembrance” that Gerry started 11 years ago. Gerry’s husband, Randy Sabado, has carried on her mission, and this year's walk attracted more attention. Many local and California State officials came to the event, including California State Controller Betty T. Yee and former Oakland Mayor Lai Jean Quan. Why?       

A few days before this ceremony, the Pacific Grove City Council unanimously approved an “Apology Resolution to the Chinese Village Community and Descendants for systemic discrimination, acts of fundamental injustice, violence and cruelty.” It acknowledged the following:

The first men and women settlers from China arrived by ship before California’s statehood and were met with prejudice and discrimination. The Point Alones fishing village became the largest Chinese fishing settlement in California by 1906. On the evening of May 16, 1906, a fire of suspicious origin swept through the village, destroying most of the more than 100 buildings. In the late19th century, the town passed an ordinance that banned Chinese from fishing during the day, forcing them to do their work under dangerous nighttime conditions. Ethnic Chinese and other minorities were also banned from owning property.

So at this year’s “Walk of Remembrance” on behalf of the Pacific Grove City, Council Member Chaps Poduri gave an official apology to the Chinese descendants. As he finished his speech, I happened to be sitting right behind the podium. I softly said, “Everybody, say ‘thank you.’” I was shocked when I heard the crowd exclaim, “Thank you!”

It was such an uplifting and encouraging event to see whites, blacks, women, men and children holding large photos of Chinese fishermen. And seeing messages and signage on the walk that communicated “change with kindness, remember and move forward, and diversity, equity and inclusion.” I realized that the tide has definitely started to change to be more pro-Chinese instead of anti-Asian.

In addition to the words and message of “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” I added my own, “unity” which I think is the ultimate goal of this movement. The night before the walk, I stayed up late to make four banners and added Chinese characters: diversity 差异, equity 公平, inclusion  包容 and unity 团结. Shirley Lin Kinoshita, a board member of the USCPFA South Bay Chapter, who is an artist, made two signs with a peony, China’s national flower, on each. Because of the signs, we attracted a lot of attention and had our photos taken by many people, including the official event photographer.The nine members of our group were John Marienthal, president of the USCPFA South Bay chapter; Shirley Lin Kinoshita, a chapter board member, her husband Kim Kinoshita, me (Winny Lin), my husband, Kenny Lin, two of our friends, Aileen Nicholas and Aubrey Szanto, from East Bay, and Eva Atkinson and her daughter Anna from Owensboro, Kentucky.

We were very happy that we made it to the walk and used our voices to speak out against injustice. Gerry spent the latter part of her life tirelessly working to bring awareness of the Chinese fishermen’s contribution to the community. Chinese developed fishing techniques and helped conduct research that enhanced the economic development of the region. She once said, “We will not let others sweep our history under the rug.” It was a momentous occasion seeing her hard work pay off and witnessing the historic statement by the City of Pacific Grove to the Chinese community at this year’s walk. 

In addition, on July 1, 2022, a California State bill requires removal of “racial covenants” from property records. These “restrictive covenants” have not been enforceable in decades but are still written into the deeds of thousands of properties across the state. The covenants in titles and deeds once included language like “no person of any race other than the Caucasian or white race may use or occupy the property.” I am glad we continue to see change and progress.