Chapter 8 The first director of Asian business affairs in the United States

Maybe it's a coincidence, maybe it's inevitable.Just when Li Wanruo was doing her job in the Los Angeles County Government’s county hospital, a black riot happened in Los Angeles, which shocked the whole United States. The cause of the incident was that the majority of blacks living in Los Angeles were continuously excluded and discriminated against by the local white forces, especially their due rights in social welfare given by the government were ignored for various reasons. Under the circumstances, they spontaneously organized, took to the streets, and carried out a general cleaning of white communities and public facilities. At that time, the federal government had to transfer police from other places to quell the riots.

The anger of the black people once again sounded the alarm for the US authorities.The riots in Los Angeles have actually been brewing for a long time. The fuse of the black riots in Los Angeles should be traced back to the bad influence of a series of incidents of insulting black people before this. Among them, one cannot fail to mention the incident that occurred on June 11, 1962 in Alabama in the southern United States. On this day, at the gate of the school building of the State University of the state, a gentlemanly white man suddenly appeared and was standing there aggressively guarding the gate.When he saw two black students, Marang and Hedetao approaching, he immediately blocked the way with his arms outstretched, and with a wave of his hand, he told the two black students: This is a state university, and you black people are not allowed to study here.Marang and Hurd were stunned. They couldn't believe such a thing could happen.And when they were told that it was Mr. George Wallace, the governor of the state, they were even more confused about what happened in this country!The dispute between the two parties continued for a long time, but there was still no result.In the end, the governor was the winner, and black students were kept out of school.Afterwards, the Governor George Wallace shouted triumphantly in front of the public and journalists: I want the citizens of the whole country to listen. As long as I am governor for one day, no black person will be allowed to enter Alabama State. University study!It was the governor who blatantly practiced racial discrimination and caused an uproar in the United States. He was recommended as a candidate of the centrist party in the US presidential election not long after, showing off his political capital everywhere.

At the same time in the same state, a more serious event than the above occurred: one day, a black woman named Rosa Parks was working in a white community and took a bus home. There was an empty seat in the front row, so he sat down.But as soon as she sat down, the white driver of the car came over and told her to sit in the back.The black woman didn't understand what was going on, but the white man told her very rudely that the seats in the front row were reserved for white people, and black people could only sit in the back row. I pay the same fare as you white people, why can't I ride in the same seat?Rosa asked back dissatisfied.

Unexpectedly, when her voice fell, there was an angry voice of white people in the car; you are a nigger, do you know that?Niggers will never be equal to us white people! Get the hell out of here before we call the police and drag you down... Facing the curses and reprimands from the white people in the carriage, Rosa suppressed the fire in her heart and sat there motionless, like an inviolable goddess.This made the white people very angry. They really got out of the car and called the police, and the police really ordered Rosa outrageously: I limit you to the back of the car within two minutes!Otherwise, I will send you to prison.

The black woman was outraged by such blatant racism, and she was determined not to change her seat. The policeman came up angrily and handcuffed Rosa, pulled her off the bus and pushed her into the police car in full view, and really threw Rosa into prison. When Rosa's incident came out, it immediately caused shock across the United States.More than 50,000 blacks spontaneously organized a rescue group. They recommended a young pastor as the leader and carried out the most spectacular black strike movement in the history of the United States in the 20th century. It lasted for a year.This black pastor is Martin Luther King Jr.He thus created the philosophy of nonviolent struggle and later made famous speeches.

I dream of the day when this humble country house will be reopened and lived by the true meaning of its creed--truths in which all men are created equal, without a doubt, and in which we firmly believe. I dream of a day when, in the red lands of Georgia, the sons of slaves and the sons of masters will be brothers; and I dream of a day when even in Mississippi -- burning with the fire of injustice, burning with the fire of oppression -- — also become liberty, justice and oasis... It was such a non-violent black leader who made thousands of people, including white people, yearn for a dream, was shot dead in a pool of blood by white extremists who did not want to hear the voice of black people on April 4, 1968...

The death of Martin Luther King and the tragic fate of countless black brothers finally made the black people living in dire straits see through the social essence of this country.The black riots in Los Angeles were a general outbreak of this accumulated anger.The reason for this is that the blacks here do not receive the same social welfare as the whites, and some government benefits that should have been given are always not implemented in actual operation to those blacks who are in urgent need, so the riots become a kind of venting way of expression.The black people said: You white people are human beings, you are American citizens, you can live a good life, and you can receive welfare benefits, but why should we be second-class American citizens, not as good as pigs and dogs?If no one returns us the benefits and security that are rightfully ours, the riots will be forever.

The officials of the Los Angeles government were terrified when they heard such words. After a quick consultation, they decided to set up a special office of African-American affairs under the government's Community Welfare Department, which was responsible for the welfare and social security work in the Negro area. Due to the increasing number of Latinos in the Los Angeles area, the Los Angeles government established the Latino Affairs Office. At that time, Asians were a model ethnic group, because they have always been proud of humility, do-it-yourself, and adequate food and clothing!Because they have been deeply influenced by traditional oriental culture and morals, even though they have been in the United States for several generations, their sense of devotion and not relying on others' charity and government welfare is deeply rooted in them. People who don't take the interests of Asians into account take advantage of the loopholes.

More exasperating things are yet to come. One of Li Guiruo's friends, Mr. Noguchi, the famous Japanese medical examiner, is an expert with absolute authority in the United States. Major cases such as the murder of Kennedy's brother and the death of Marilyn Monroe were all attended by Mr. Noguchi. The victim's forensic medical conclusion was announced to the public only after the identification.It is such an outstanding person, just because some authorities feel that his spoken English is not good, they say again and again that Noguchi should not be a public figure, using very abnormal means, so that his pronunciation is not suitable for the position. A senior county government official dismissed Noguchi and relegated him to work in the research department of a certain hospital.

When the news came out, the entire Los Angeles was in an uproar, especially the Asians represented by the Chinese.At that time, in Los Angeles, there was an organization of the Asia-Pacific Work Association headed by the government and the public, which took the lead in protesting against the government, in solidarity with the demand for Noguchi's reinstatement.Li Wanruo participated in the entire protest and solidarity activities.Later, the county government was frightened by the power of Asians and restored Noguchi to his original post.And this incident is an opportunity for the majority of Asians to wake up. They think: Since the government has a special office for African Americans and Latinos, why does it lack our Asian Affairs Office?With the experience of the Noguchi incident, the Asia-Pacific Work Association headed by the government and the public took advantage of the victory and forced the county government to agree to set up an Asian affairs office in the Ministry of Social Welfare.

At this time, who will be the director of the No. 1 Asian Affairs Office in the United States has become a focus in the Asian community.The so-called Asians include Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Malaysians and other American immigrants of all Asian ethnicities.In the eyes of Americans and Westerners, Asians, especially Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans, are always indistinguishable from each other. Therefore, in the eyes of Americans and Westerners, Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans can easily become natural brothers and sisters. Relatively united, cooperate with each other, often regardless of each other. Lily, you should compete for this position, because you have professional experience in social work and advanced education. Besides, among Asians, we are the most Chinese. We must have a person of our own ethnicity in charge in the government!The words of a Chinese friend ignited Li Wanruo, who wanted to do things for the majority of Chinese and Asians. Scarlenger, do you think it is possible for me to take the post of Director of Asian Affairs in the Social Welfare Department of the County Government?Li Wanruo first told her supervisor at the hospital, Ms. Scarlenger, about her important decision, and hoped to get her support. Scarlengo's beautiful blue eyes sparkled when she heard the words of her beloved right-hand man: Great Lily, I fully support your choice.To be honest, a capable and young person like you should not stay with me all the time, because even after I retire, you can only display your talents in my position, which is too limited, and you should bravely shoulder a more glorious duty of! Li Wanruo felt very relieved to get the approval of her boss.But seeking an official in the United States, there are too many unexpected things.For example, Li Wanruo is competing for a government official position this time, but she must visit the leaders of the Chinese Du District, otherwise you want to show up and be the leader of Chinatown?There are no doors! Li Wanruo knew for a long time that Mr. Hu Guodong, the vice president of Huazi Bank at the time, was the leader of the Chinese community in Los Angeles.The Hu family plays an important role in the largest Chinese groups in Chinatown—the Chinese Association and Tongyuan Association. All previous Los Angeles government officials have to look at this Chinese leader differently. No, the current Los Angeles County Mayor Deborah Mr. Si has an extraordinary relationship with him. Hu Guodong is a must-see figure. After Li Wanruo made up her mind to compete, the first thing she did was to think carefully about how to pay a visit to this prominent Chinese figure. On that day, Li Wanruo went to a beauty shop to have her hair trimmed, and bought a new set of clothes. A stately blue suit.To be honest, Li Wanruo had seen quite a lot of world before this, but it was the first time he dealt with local snakes, and the purpose of this time was very clear, and success or failure depended on it. The moment she entered Chinatown, she was really uneasy.Because Li Wanruo knew in her heart that she would fail in front of the Chinese gang leader in Los Angeles today, and if she wanted to make great achievements in local social work in the future, it would be tantamount to setting a threshold in front of herself that she would never be able to cross. Li Wanruo didn't know anything about Hu Guodong in the past. She and him were both local celebrities. It should be said that they knew each other in the media. Just budding juniors.She walked and thought, and Li Wanruo entered Hu Guodong's office in a blink of an eye. Elders above me, junior Li Wanruo greets Mr. Hu.When we met, Li Wanruo spoke Chinese and spoke Chinese old-fashioned letters. I heard that it has been more than ten years since you first came to the United States. It seems that you have not forgotten the traditions and rules of China at all?Hu Guodong, who was sitting on a red master chair, had a very good first impression of the visitors. Li Wanruo took up the conversation modestly: My father was about the same age as Elder Hu, and taught Wanruo me to memorize the Four Books and Five Classics, Confucius and Taoism from an early age. Therefore, even though Wanruo is now an American citizen, she has always kept in mind her roots. China. Hu Guodong was overjoyed after hearing this: It's rare and rare.Now some Chinese have only been in the United States for a few days, and they don't know who their ancestors are.It's so heartbreaking! That's right, Hun Ruo took the liberty to visit the elders just because he saw this.From the perspective of younger generations, there are more and more Chinese immigrants in California, especially in our Los Angeles area, but everyone just does their own thing. Few people think that they should find a job in the government and understand the relevant policies of the United States through government agencies. , Serving the majority of Chinese.So a while ago the Los Angeles government decided to add an Asian Affairs Office.Wan Ruo thought, such an important position cannot be taken by white people!Koreans of Japanese descent are not ideal candidates either, because we Chinese are the most Asian, so it is most reasonable and reasonable for us Chinese to take the role.The younger generation thinks so, I don’t know right? Go on go on go on!Hu Guodong was obviously interested. Li Wanruo saw that there was something interesting, and hurriedly repeated the benefits and functions of having this position held by a Chinese in simple terms.Then he said solemnly: If the junior Wan is a sociology major, he has a better understanding of the nature and tasks of American community work, and has several years of practical experience. If you intend to compete for this position, I especially want to hear the opinions of the elders... Hahaha, you worry too much, worry too much.This is a good thing!Since it is our own business, it is best for us Chinese to take care of it.It is rare to have a far-sighted compatriot like you come out to take on important tasks, and I, Hu, agree with both hands. Thank you elders.But if this is going to happen, you have to come forward!It can be said that without you, it is still useless for me to enter this door again.When Li Wanruo saw that the fire had come, he immediately took over the conversation and cut to the crux of the matter. Why?Hu Guodong listened very seriously. You think, Mr. Guanye, who is of Japanese descent by qualifications, is far above me. Without the support of you and the Los Angeles County Mayor, Mr. Debes, who is very concerned about the work of our Asian community, I am afraid I can only think of doing things for the Chinese. Just think about it. The Sheriff of Durbes is as close as I am to Phoebe!Hu Guodong said with some pride. Yes, the younger generation also thinks the same as the elders. This position can be filled by Chinese people, and you must recommend the candidate to Mr. Debes... Makes sense.Hu Guodong nodded, and then greeted the secretary: You immediately draft a letter of recommendation to the Sheriff of Durbes.Write it right away. You wait a moment.Hu Guodong signaled to Li Wanruo to drink some more tea and wait for another arrangement.I saw him pick up the phone on the table.Hello, is that Mr. Durbes?How about it, I heard that your Excellency has done a great deed for us Asians, setting up an Asian affairs office in social welfare?Great, Your Excellency will always be our most sincere friend!But I have a suggestion, it is more appropriate for the director of the Asian American Affairs Office to be an Asian!You ask me if I have an ideal candidate?Yes, that’s great. I can solemnly recommend Lily Lee Chen to you.She is outstanding and will certainly be up to the task.can you meet herOkay, I'll tell her to go see you as soon as possible... Thank you so much for your support!Wanruo, I must live up to the great trust of you and all Chinese and Asians.When Li Wanruo walked out of Chinatown, she had a special feeling, that is, when working in overseas Chinese communities, one must not ignore some kind of man-made power. Hu Guodong really has a special influence. Within a few days of his call, Mr. De Bess, the mayor of Los Angeles County, immediately ordered his subordinate, the Minister of Social Welfare, Mr. Murphy, to select the Director of Asian Affairs. Be sure to consider Ms. Li Wanruo.Now that the county chief had spoken, Minister Murphy personally asked Li Wanruo for an interview.The supervisor was very satisfied with the results.Due to procedural requirements, Murphy called Ms. Scarenger at the county hospital where Li Wanruo worked to inquire about Li Wanruo's situation.Because Li Wanruo was the first to ask for the opinion of this superior when she decided to compete for the post of Director of Asian Pastoral Affairs, Ms. Scarlenger heard the county government call to investigate Li Wanruo's performance, and told the other party in a deliberately embarrassing tone: Lily is really You are the best candidate for the Social Welfare Department, but she is also indispensable in our hospital!The last half of Scarlenger's sentence made Minister Murphy insist on Li Guiruo. Things were settled so happily. In April 1970, Li Wanruo officially became the director of the Asian Affairs Division of the Social Welfare Department of the Los Angeles County Government.This was the first official in the United States to specialize in Asian immigration affairs at that time, so Li Wanruo was also known as the first director of the United States after taking office. Don't underestimate Los Angeles County.It occupies an important position in California, the second largest state in the United States. Its population accounts for one-third of the entire state of California, and it is also the second largest county in the United States.Los Angeles County includes 88 cities, mainly Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Monterey Park and other cities.Los Angeles County has a huge government organization. In addition to several departments such as the Social Welfare Department, there are seven public hospitals. Long Beach Hospital is one of them, with an annual budget of more than 3 billion US dollars.From an ordinary Chinese student to the first director of the U.S. government's Asian-American affairs, Li Wanruo has completed a crucial step towards the mainstream American society.And this is undoubtedly a major turning point for her personally, and it is also a very encouraging thing for the Asians in the United States. Director Li took office in the Los Angeles County Government on his first day. As soon as he arrived at the door, he was blocked by the guard at the door: Excuse me, who are you looking for?If you are looking for someone, do you have an appointment in advance? Sorry, I didn't come looking for someone.I'm Lily Lee Chen, the new Director here.Li Wanruo told the guard with a smile neither humble nor overbearing. Oh, sorry, sorry.The guards were embarrassed. The door was entered, but the first episode of going to work seemed to make Li Wanruo feel that she had to prepare in advance.That's one thing she has to keep in mind all the time: Because I'm a Chinese-born American. We all know that the concept of nation in the United States is reflected in two most prominent and relevant aspects for ordinary citizens. One is the taxes that need to be paid to the country, and the other is the various benefits that the country and society should give to themselves.Therefore, one of the main tasks of the federal government and its subordinate states, counties, and municipal governments is social welfare work.The welfare of the United States includes all the content of serving citizens, such as urban construction, road construction, cultural and educational construction, medical and health care, children and women's issues, old-age and unemployment protection, etc., all within this scope, so the government The welfare department of China is an institution with a particularly large power and staff, and it is also the busiest working department.For example, after Li Wanruo took office, he saw that the staff of the African-American and Latino Affairs Office, who belonged to the same functional department as his own, were like firefighters fighting a fire all day long, and they were so busy every day.What makes Li Wanruo very strange is that her work object and goal are just the opposite. The Ministry of Social Welfare assigned Li Wanruo an assistant. The white assistant, Ms. Aneer, was young, beautiful and lively. She half-jokingly said to Li Wanruo: Lily, now I really understand why Asians are a model ethnicity.They are so law-abiding that they don’t even take any basic benefits from the government, and even if they are given to them, they will do everything possible to return them to the government!But as far as I know, many of them are sick and cannot receive treatment, and life is very difficult.This is so incredible. Lily, what's going on, I've never been able to figure it out... Li Wanruo smiled after listening to Ms. Ginger's words, she fully understood what the white assistant said.So he pointed out sharply: There is a Chinese proverb called the dangerous reef, which is often in the most peaceful place. The insensitivity of the Asian community to government welfare does not mean that they have no problems to ask the government, but the unique cultural background of Orientals. And consciousness has created a gap between them and the government's welfare policy. If this gap is eliminated, Miss Ginger, you will see that the two of us will be busy all day like playing tricks. Ginger blinked and looked at Li Wanruo: playing tricks?What is a trick? Li Wanruo laughed loudly: "The extras are those who specialize in helping the protagonists on the stage in our Chinese stage work." Harmony with colleagues and subordinates is an important prerequisite for doing a good job.On this basis, Li Wanruo made two important suggestions to his superiors: Since it is the Asian American Affairs Office, its targets are mainly Asians, then the staff of the county government distributed in various communities should recruit those who know or understand their targets. It is better to recruit those who are themselves of the same ethnicity to serve as government officials.Li Wanruo's opinion was agreed by the county government. They believed that using ethnic people to manage the same clan anointed people would achieve effects that the government could not receive.After Li Wanruo received the support of the government, he publicly recruited bilingual civil servants in the Los Angeles area based on the situation of the three major ethnic groups in the Asian community: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.This caused a sensation again at the time, because it may be the first time in the history of the United States that the government recruited civil servants not only to test their English skills, but also to test their Chinese, Japanese, and Korean skills.Job advertisements on radio, television and newspapers were published in full pages, and citizens with Asian backgrounds and who understood Chinese, Japanese, and Korean signed up enthusiastically, which became a scene in Los Angeles at that time.Li Wanruo's trick was later called by the US federal government's employment experts as a method of using Asians to solve Asian problems. It was promoted in other cities and states, and it also received good results, so it was called Li Wanruo's employment method and recorded Among the classics of the United States Federal Personnel. And Li Wanruo's second suggestion was not approved by her superiors, because this suggestion was her proposal to add a 15% bonus to those bilingual civil servants who entered government agencies after recruitment. No, there is no such precedent in the history of the federal government or California.The boss answered very firmly and gave the basis. However, Li Wanruo did not give up. She took out the American social labor and personnel system that she mastered when she was studying American sociology at the University of Washington. Articles, to the county government and county council decision-makers and departments one by one to visit and do persuasion work.It was with her unremitting efforts that another historic reform was made in the personnel system of Los Angeles County, California: Bilingual civil servants recruited into government agencies for job needs can receive an additional 15% monthly bonus. This venerable bilingual bonus continues to this day. After Li Wanruo took the first step to rectify the front-line civil servants who manage Asian affairs, the work of the entire Asian community has completely changed.In the past, white civil servants who did not understand the oriental cultural background and the ethnic language managed the welfare work of Asians from Southeast Asian countries. Often, either the two sides failed to reach a consensus, or the lack of unity of ideas eventually led to the unwillingness of Asians to cooperate with them. In the situation of dealing with officials of the government welfare department, when civil servants of the same ethnicity and language appear in front of the expatriates, the Asians immediately feel a sense of intimacy and intimacy.When the civil servants went to discuss the relevant benefits and application procedures, it became much smoother and more proactive.Especially Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese people are very cooperative with Li Wanruo and their welfare department. In order to publicize and promote the government's welfare services to the Asian community and help more Asian residents who need government assistance, Li Wanruo had to go deep into the Asian community to conduct research and experience it personally.She wanted to go out, she couldn't sit in the yamen and wait for someone to come to her door.So she invited Zhang Yuchi and Zhang Chengxun, two university seniors who lived in Chinatown, to Chinatown in Los Angeles. One day, Zhang Chengxun said to Li Huruo: I will take you to my neighbor's house first. They parked the car in front of a small courtyard, entered the courtyard gate, and heard someone coughing upstairs.Through a very narrow corridor, and then into a small door attic. Uncle Liu, government officials have come to see you.Zhang Chengxun greeted him cordially. I made no mistake.I don't.This man, Uncle Liu, was dark and skinny, and when he heard that government officials were coming, he immediately became nervous. Li Wanruo stepped forward to comfort him and said: Uncle Liu, don't be afraid, I am a staff member of the government welfare department.Seeing that you have such a bad cough, have you taken your medicine? The old man shook his head and said: It is too expensive to see a doctor. It will be fine after a few days of coughing. It doesn't matter. Why don't you enroll in health insurance?Li Wanruo asked. To be honest, I have worked hard in the United States for more than 20 years, and I don't have much savings.Now that I am old, I even have the money to pay for medical insurance. What kind of work did you use to do?Li Wan Ruo heard about it. Restaurant worker.After I came to the United States, I worked in restaurants, and one thousand means more than twenty years. Why don't you apply for TU benefits?Li Wanruo began to enter the topic of applying for social welfare. How can I apply?he asked puzzled. Think about it, you have to pay taxes when you work, and you have to pay taxes when you go to the store to buy things.Paying taxes is the obligation of every citizen, but if there is an obligation to pay taxes, there is the right to enjoy benefits.It is your right, and the government has a responsibility to take care of you.Li Wanruo explained to him. The old man shook his head helplessly and said: Where can I apply?I don't have money for a lawyer. Don't worry, Uncle Liu, we are from the government welfare department, and we specialize in solving the welfare problems of the elderly like you.Here's a form, and I'll fill it out for you right now.You can get food stamps and medical insurance subsidized by the government.Li Wanruo said while taking out the form. Oh, I don't fill in!Uncle Liu shrank back as if afraid and said.When I first arrived in the United States, some old immigrants told me that if you don't understand English, you must not fill in some forms randomly.If you don't know what is written in it, it will cause serious legal problems. When Li Wanruo heard the old man say that, he really didn't know how to express his love to him.What he said was not completely reasonable. People like Uncle Liu, relying on their own narrow life experience, would find it hard to believe that there would really be such a thing as a government worker taking the initiative to deliver benefits to his door.They do not understand English, have been isolated from the outside world for a long time, and do not know the welfare facilities of the government.Therefore, they didn't even dare to ask for the rights they deserved, but just endured their own suffering silently.How sad that is! Li Wanruo asked again: Uncle Liu, do you have any children? Forget it, I have a son.I brought him to America and really wanted him to make a career out of it.Who knows, after I found it, I worked in a restaurant every day and didn't have time to attend the school's parent meeting, even if I went, I couldn't understand it.I don't know if Tanzi doesn't do well in school.It was later learned that he almost voted for the school.Before graduating from high school, they joined gangs and fought everywhere, and now their family has disappeared without a trace.The old man said, shaking his head sadly and helplessly. This small attic is hot and stuffy, and there is only room for a small bed and a table.Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but feel sad, and tears couldn't help but flow down my cheeks.Li Wanruo took the form and explained to him one by one in Chinese, and then told him repeatedly that the reason why the society gives some benefits to the poor is because these poor people need help, and they are also taxpayers and should enjoy the right to receive benefits.Finally, the old man finally answered the question and signed the form. After a period of in-depth understanding, Wan Ruo confirmed that there are many old people in Chinatown like Uncle Liu who have been guarding Chinatown all their lives, isolated from the outside world, and helpless; Driving, unable to find work outside of Chinatown.Most of these new immigrants work in car clothing factories. This kind of car clothing factories are called sweatshops by the outside world. They work like slaves all day long. They have no time to learn English or other livelihood skills, and they have no time to educate their children.Many children's education is neglected, some teenagers live on the streets, or join gangs, and the result is a lot of problems.Because those Chinese parents are busy with their livelihood, they seldom attend parent-teacher meetings, so they don't know anything about their children's situation in school.Such a vicious circle makes the problem more serious. Therefore, sweatshops are not only the livelihood of new immigrants, but also a trap for new immigrants.Because I work without seeing the sun all day and have the opportunity to learn English, it is difficult to get out of this circle. Witnessing all this behind the model ethnic group, Wan Ruo felt more and more that her burden was heavy.Obviously, the reasons why these people did not apply for social welfare are because of a language barrier and a lack of understanding of the current American social welfare system; There are many people like Uncle Liu among them in the plan to help the poor. I don't believe there will be such a good thing as the pie falling from the sky!In fact, they don't realize that they are making contributions to society every day! One day, Ginger found that her boss was always holding a tape recorder during the break at work, repeating one sentence after another in Chinese that she couldn't understand at all. Lily, don't you speak Chinese very well?Why do you have to study Chinese pronunciation so seriously?In Cinger's eyes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to understand what is going on in China. Li Wanruo had no choice but to tell her: I am learning a special Chinese language, which is one of the Chinese dialects, called Cantonese.Because in the Chinese community in the mediocre street in the United States, most people can only speak Cantonese, especially the few Chinese organizations with great advantages, such as the most influential Chinese Association, you must have heard of it, they all speak Cantonese Cantonese in China, if you want to deal with them, you have to know their language, otherwise it will be like playing the piano against each other... Playing the piano to a cow - even if I play the guitar in front of a cow, it won't understand anything! Cinger made a playful gesture of strumming the guitar. Li Wanruo smiled: Yes.It seems that you have already begun to have a little understanding of oriental culture. Wow, Lily finally praised me! Ginger couldn't help cheering. One day, Li Wanruo said to Ginger: Let's go to Chinatown together today. OK, is that the Chung Wah Guild that specializes in Cantonese? yes, go. Speaking of Zhonghua Guild Hall, I have to say a few more words. This Chinese non-governmental organization originated in the era when Dr. Sun Yat-sen advocated revolution in the 19th century. It is the earliest overseas revolutionary organization in modern China. The Chinese Guild Hall played an important role in promoting the Chinese bourgeois democratic revolution in the early 20th century.Later, the organizational form of the Chinese Guild spread from Japan to Chinese communities in other countries, especially Chinatowns, and its organizational influence was also very large. Almost every Chinatown had a branch of the Chinese Guild.The headquarters of the Zhonghua Association in the United States was located in San Francisco, and later moved to Los Angeles, which is Monterey Park, the city where Li Wanruo later became the mayor. The internal organization of the Chinese Association is very strict, and the power of the boss is stronger than that of American law.Its members are mainly old overseas Chinese whose mission is to defend traditional Chinese culture. Their members are conservative in thinking and behave far away from mainstream American society. Although they are all permanent residents of the United States or most of them have already acquired American citizenship, the actual There is not much fundamental interest relationship with the United States, and they are a group of pure Chinese on American soil. As soon as Li Wanruo entered the Zhonghua Guild Hall with his assistants, he greeted the leaders of the Guild Hall with a few Cantonese he had just learned, and explained his purpose of coming.So, the club staff politely poured tea for Cinger and gave up his seat. Ginger was startled, and quickly told the host: Your Lily is the director of our social welfare department!They are not used to the Chinese being American officials. What we are fighting for is a model ethnicity!What's wrong with that?Asking the government for relief would be very shameless!The guild staff interrupted Li Wanruo, proud of being called a model ethnic group. Li Wanruo nodded helplessly while stating her point of view: There is nothing wrong with being a model ethnic group, and besides, we Chinese do have many virtues in life.However, among us Chinese, there are also many people who are sick and cannot receive treatment, and do coolies without living security. Originally, we paid taxes like others, so we should ask the country for those benefits that belong to us, but because everyone Unaware of these policies, so many people's lives are still very difficult. The government is now setting up the Asian Affairs Office in the Ministry of Social Welfare, which is specifically for us to bring the benefits of the American county government to the Chinese community.I am the director of this office. In order to make it easier for Chinese compatriots to understand the government's welfare system, or for everyone to apply for welfare directly from the government, I have an idea, whether it is possible to set up a table in your hall and send one of our civil servants here If any compatriots need it, they can easily ask the government for the benefits they deserve.Can you take a look at this approach? Ginger on the side gave her thumbs up in admiration after hearing what her boss said.But he was immediately puzzled that such a good suggestion was rejected by Li Wanruo's compatriots. Incomprehensible, incredible!Your proposal to put the job functions of government directly among citizens, it is no exaggeration to say, should be commended by Congress and the White House, but why should your own countrymen reject it?Another one confuses me, Lily, what the hell is going on here? This time Li Wanruo didn't answer the subordinate's question.She could only remain silent, because there was an indescribable bitterness in her heart. Let's go, let's go to CACA!Li Wanruo said to Gin Ser. 华人杜区的同源会也是有百年历史的海外华人组织，主要由华裔公民中的律师、工程师和医师等知识界人士参加，所以同源会与中华会馆很不一样，开会时讲英语，唱美国国歌，是一个标准的有东方文化背景的美国华人组织。这儿的人员听李琬若介绍来意后，连声说这是大好事，能把政府的福利职能从衙门搬到华人杜区来，简直是太好的便民做法。 李处长什么时候派人来，我们就什么时候欢迎！ happy!李琬若听后喜出望外，她总算找到了知音。 不多日，洛杉矶政府的第一个政府社会福利工作站正式在美以美教会设立，华裔领袖人物们大力支持。 而同源会的这一行动，使得一向从不到政府申请福利的华人和亚裔公民一改陈旧观念，纷纷关心起政府的福利政策，并将自己在美国生存命运与政府的社会福利政策联在一起。 慢慢地，中华会馆的老华侨们也开始像大家一样，努力争取政府福利了。并终于在中华会馆设立丁工作站，有人说，这种景象与变化，对亚裔特别是华人来说，是一场具有改变自身命运的革命。这话一点不过分。在美国，你要获得生存权，你要争取实现心目中的美国梦，如果离开了社会福利制度，恐怕十有八九的移民会晚几年甚至几十年的真正美国化。 李琬若给我讲了现在的一种情形。她说她那时推行福利政策难度之大，无法想象。而现在的中国新移民，有的人还没有到美国，就已经对美国政府的福利制度与政策能一条条地背得滚瓜烂熟。而那些已经拿到绿卡的人，第一件要做的事不是想着自己的工作如何，丽是想着能不能申请到政府的某某种类福利！ 变化之大，真可谓今非昔比。这位美国华人福利制度的拓荒者感慨万千。 Lily，整天与你一起不分日夜地在华人区工作，我都不知道自己是美国人还是中国人了！有一天，Cinger从华人区剐刚办完一宗福利手续，回到办公室这么说道，不过，这些日子是我成就感最大的时光。我因此感到十分自豪。 李琬若深情地过来紧紧拥抱住自己的助手。其实李琬若自己才真正体会到了什么叫成就感，这种成就感便是她在担任亚裔事务处处长这一重要岗位之后，像Gin Ser小姐这样原本就很出色的政府公务员不仅接纳了她，而且已经充分肯定了她是个称职的处长。 这一点对初涉政坛的李琬若来说绝对太重要了。从某种意义讲，它比当初争取到这个职位的意义重要百倍。 李琬若来自草根阶层，同时又深知自己是全美第一位专门处理亚裔事务的官员的分量，因此在平时除了敬业外，极其重视自己和属下的商标准工作。她时常在办公室要求每个人员都有危机意识。 在30年前的美国社会里，一位华裔女公务员如此要求自己和教育手下，实属不易。在李琬若上任一周年纪念日，她的办公室同事，执意要为她做件有纪念意义的事，此事让李琬若牢记着。 Lily，你打开门看看。那天，全处同事非常严肃整齐地站在李琬若面前，表示出一种下级对上司的特别尊敬的神情。李琬若笑着转丁一下脑子，却怎么也想不出大家有什么秘密让她揭晓。只好摇摇头。 Lily，快开门呀！Someone can't wait. 门被拉开了。李琬若一眼就看到贴在门中央的一块牌子及上面的两个字，又惊又喜地连声说了三个好好好。好什么？原来同事们平时经常听李琬若口中不离危机两宇，于是便商量说在她任职一年时，我们大家就送她这两个字。决定后，她们特意找了位会写中文字的人用美术体将危机两字写在牌子上，最后又把牌子方方正正地贴在了她的办公室大门上。 有危机，才能有机会。真的太好了！它可以让我时刻严以律己，经常想到不足。在为亚裔公民和政府福利事业服务中，虽然我们常常要处理一些紧急事情，但我们从中也获得了学习和提高的机会。李琬若站在那块牌子旁边，心潮起伏，她特意让助手们给她照了张相。 亚裔事务处本来只是社会福利部新设的一个小部门，李瑰若入主这儿后，这个部门便成了最出彩的明星机构。笑声时常从那几间办公室里飞出来。 相比之下，几乎同时成立的非裔和拉丁裔两个事务处则整天有断不尽的麻烦事。负责非裔事务的贝克是个很有长者风范的黑人退伍军人，为人正直，性格刚强，但有时在处理问题时恰恰不能达到很好的效果，而其实他是非常有责任感和正义感的，由于处事不能运用理想的艺术手段，常夹在上司主管与黑人兄弟之间受冤枉气。 李琥若看在眼里，急在心里，本来这是额外活，但她觉得自己与贝克干的同是为少数族裔公民服务的职业，人家非裔有了难题，我们亚裔就该帮助和支持人家才对。 而自跟贝克接触后，李琬若才明白了贝克平时为什么在上司面前总显得通融不够，生硬有余。原来贝克是参加过朝鲜战争的老兵，在战斗中为了美国利益出生人死。可是当他穿着军装回到阿拉巴马州时，一次在乘一辆公共汽车时，白人司机便令他往后坐，那一刻贝克才恍然大悟：只有在生死由天的战场上自己可以同白人并肩作战，而回到美国后他便不再有可能同白人享受同等的权利了。 有人总是想方设法剥夺我们黑人的基本权利，即使在明文规定的福利政策下，他们也会大做手肿。贝克总是在办公室里不满地发牢骚，而这更加增添了他与上司之间的紧张关系。他管辖的那些黑人兄弟则又认为他们的贝克一旦坐在白人堆里就不会很好地为族裔同胞说话办事了，所以时不时为一些福利的发放不到位而找贝克的麻烦。 贝克因此里外不是人。那天他的一帮黑人兄弟又结团聚集到市政大楼来闹事。非裔事务处的工作人员们吓得全都跑了。这使得本来就有气想出的黑人们更加愤愤不平，发誓要端掉社会福利部。 This is how to do? Lily，你说贝克他们是怎么捕的嘛？出了大事谁负责得起呀？赶紧叫警察来救援吧！李琬若的上司在办公大楼的走廊道里惊惶失措地对李琬若说。 不要着急，现在最主要的是要平息黑人兄弟们的情绪，千万不能在这个时候让警察出现。那样事情真的就会闹大的。李瑰若一边把上司扶到自己的办公室，让其喝口水稳稳情绪，一边出主意道。 Then what do you say?黑人们闹起事来整个美国都会受不了的呀！上司的精神都快崩溃了。 李琬若冷静地朝窗外望去见外面黑压压的一大片。便说：到今天这个地步，肯定是有原因的。既然他们来了，我们也就不能不理人家，否则事情会激化。 这事得让贝克处理！What about others?到哪儿去了？exasperating!可气至极！上司简直暴跳如雷，叉束手无策。 既然贝克有难处，那我就代他去处理一下吧。李琬若说完，很平静地走出办公室。她的身后是上司紧张而急促的叮嘱：Lily，你千万要小心啊！ 面对群情激愤的黑人朋友，李琬若表现出异乎寻常的镇静。她首先示意大家静下来慢慢说，随后开口道：你们今天既然来了，心里肯定有不平的地方。我是这儿的工作人员，但由于我是新来的，对大家的情况不是特别了解，所以应该说今天能见到大家，是件好事，能直接听听大家对我们政府的社会福利工作有什么意见。这样吧，为了能很好地表达清楚你们的意见，是不是你们派几个代表，或者多一点十几个人也行，只是我们的会议室只有那么大，我向大家抱歉只能请你们的代表到里面去谈。大家看如何？ 黑人们没有想到眼前这位彬彬有礼的东方女士，态度特别的温顺和蔼，你天大的脾气也无法再咆哮了，于是整个闹事的场面一下恢复了平静。随后黑人们自己选出代表跟着李瑰若上了舍议室，其余的人便三三两两地随后散去。到后来，十几名代表跟李琬若越谈越投机，完全把她当做可以依赖的朋友向其倾诉一些他们对政府福利不满的情绪，而且提出了不少建议和意见。 今天的收获真是不小。我真想再请大家谈上那么几天。但我想大家都很忙，我不能耽误了你们的工作和生活呀。所以我想，哪一天你们召开社区福利会议，我到你们那儿去听意见如何？李琬若看了看表，便提出建议。 太好了，我们热烈欢迎你。黑人代表高兴地表示。 一场风波就这么在李琬若的和风细雨中化解了。事后，社会福利部的头儿和贝克先生对李琬若感激万分，说她避免了洛杉矶一劫，同时也帮他们保住了饭碗。但李琬若感到事情还没有完，尤其是她答应黑人朋友的事一定要做到。 事隔不久，黑人社区真的召开了有关福利问题的集会。那天李琬若特意穿了条牛仔裤，脚上是运动鞋，也丝毫没有做任何的化妆打扮，到了开会的地方她也非常随意地跟黑人们一样，往草地上这么一坐，像谈家常似的跟大家聊了起来。那亲近随和的气氛，博得非裔居民的极大好感。他们跟这位东方面孔的政府官员无拘无束地谈着对政府福利事业与政策的看法和意见，使李琬若收获不少。之后，她又连续参加了非裔居民们召开的同类集会。 回到办公室，她把黑人居民们的意见整理汇总后，又根据自己的看法提出了建议，一同分别交给了上司和主管非裔事务的贝克先生。而社会福利部负责人和贝克先生又根据李琬若的建议及意见，对非裔居民的福利工作做了相应调整，从而使本来一直矛盾很激化的非商居民的福利纠纷迅速得到了缓和，出现了从未有过的良好局面。从此本来同属平级的李琬若所领导的亚裔事务处，慢慢变成了事实上的由她统管的亚非拉等少数族青事务部门。 在美国，社会福利工作占的比例和工作量是最大的。仅以加州为例，全加州从事社会福利工作的公务员就达1万多人，获得联邦年度经费达10亿美元，受益人数在百万之上。据此有人说过这样的话：男人要在美国迅速升迁，最好你到军队里去；而女人想显示能力，最好的锻炼岗位是在社会福利部。如鱼得水的李璃若，在少散族裔事务处的岗位上充分发挥着她的潜能，赢得上下广泛赞誉。 1975年，事琬若应邀参加在华盛顿召开的第一次全美华人福利会议。在此次会议上，李琬若第一次作为华裔界妇女杰出代表，见到了几位华人妇女领袖人物，其中有在美国政坛影响很大的祖炳民、陈香梅、张之香等人。 一日，张之香对李琬若说：白宫联邦杜会福利部正缺一位熟悉业务的顾问，我着你最合适，怎么样，我向总统推荐你如何？因为你是最合适的人选，一来有郡政府社会工作的经验，二来专业学的也是这一行，更主要的你还是我们华裔妇女。联邦顾问的荣誉可不是什么人都可以获得的，尤其作为华膏妇女，能够参加联邦政治与管理工作，这对一向在社会工作上充满激情的李瑰若来说，是求之不得韵事。她点头表示愿意。 果不其然，在张之香等著名华裔人士和加州、首都华盛顿的多名国会议员联名推荐下，当时的福特总统正式向李琬若发出了关于美国联邦社会福利部顾问的任命。 这是1975年的事。而正是这一年的2月3日，美国建国之后的几十任总统中，在中国人的传统节日春节这一天，福特是第一个以总统身份发表了向在美华人的贺年致词，他借此表彰华人对美国社会的特殊贡献。他是这样说的：在这欢庆中国新年的时候，我和我夫人向我国的华裔公民同胞致以最美好的祝愿。我们欢迎有这个机会来表彰美国华人。他们在许多方面丰富了我们的生活方式…… 有史以来的总统第一次在电视上当着全美公民的面如此表彰华人，李瑰若联系起自己剐刚得到的任命，她感慨万千。因为一位美国总统对华人的赞誉，是几代华人用泪水、汗水和血水所换来的，这中间自然有她李琬著作为第一代移民和留学生的一份贡献。