The Chinese American Experience & Beyond Lecture Series
Starting in 2020, the SDCHM has partnered with the San Diego State University Chinese Cultural Center, to provide remote programming via monthly lectures, under the program title The Chinese American Experience and Beyond.
Below, you will find a video bank of recordings of past lectures in the series. Please check out the Museum's Events Page, to stay on top of and register for future lectures.
We thank all current and past program supporters:
Driven Out
Driven Out is the title of Dr. Pfaelzer’s book published by the University of California Press, which exposes a shocking story of ethnic cleansing in California and the Pacific Northwest when the first Chinese Americans were rounded up and purged from more than three hundred communities by lawless citizens and duplicitous politicians.
The Peranakan Chinese: of Ancient Journeys, Monsoons and Myriad Cultures
An author, educator and cultural activist, Dr. Lee Su Kim wears many hats. She was
Associate Professor at the School of Language Studies & Linguistics at the National University of
Malaysia specializing in language, culture, and identity. Her Doctorate in Education explores
complex language-identity linkages of English language speakers in Malaysia. Three of her
fiction and nonfiction books - Kebaya Tales: of Matriarchs, Mistresses, Maidens and
Matchmakers, Malaysian Flavours: Insights into Things Malaysian, and Manglish:
Malaysian English at its Wackiest are bestsellers.
She is the author of 15 books including a trilogy on the Peranakans: Kebaya Tales, Sarong
Secrets and Manek Mischiefs. Kebaya Tales: of Matriarchs, Maidens, Mistresses and
Matchmakers won First prize in the Popular-Star Readers’ Choice Awards 2011 (Fiction).
She was also a former columnist with a national newspaper, ‘The Star’ writing a fortnightly
column, “Malaysian Flavours,” which celebrates Malaysia’s unique cultural diversity.
Dr Lee Su Kim is a sixth generation Nyonya from Kuala Lumpur, with paternal and maternal
links to the Peranakan communities in Malacca and Penang. Active in culture and heritage
advocacy, she is a founding member and Founding President of the Peranakan Baba
Nyonya Association of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor. She has given many talks and readings,
locally and internationally and was an invited speaker at the Ubud Writers festival, Singapore
Writers Festival and the inaugural Baba Literature festival. Her Ted X talk on ‘A Nyonya
Journey’ has garnered 50,000 views at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyI5AZVJ-48
Dr. Lee is currently a full-time writer.
Frames and Voices: Visual Archives, Oral Histories, and Family Memories in Modern East Asia and Chinese American Experiences
In this talk, the presenter, Joseph Ho, explored how photographs, films, and oral histories intersect with cultural histories of East Asian and Chinese American communities across the twentieth century. Drawing from newly-discovered collections of families, individuals, and missionary enterprises in Sino-US contexts, he traced the ways in which images and personal memories intersected with transnational identities. Vernacular images and visual technologies mediated ground-level cross-cultural encounters, at times transcending larger narratives of US empire and East Asian nationalism. Photographic translation and circulation enabled American and Chinese people to imagine diverse existences in a modern world, structuring global ways of seeing and remembering. Visual materials and family experiences narrated evolving imaginations across periods of war and peace. In the Second Sino-Japanese War and Cold War diasporas, oral histories and fragmentary images captured idealized pasts, severed relationships, and personal longing – following the journeys of Americans in East Asia and Chinese immigrant groups as they entered new spaces of dislocation and home-making. Drawing from a decade of research in archives and family collections around the world – demonstrating recovered artifacts and rare source materials as part of this presentation – He illuminated colorful links between vision, materiality, and memory that framed Sino-US experiences and new ways of seeing modern East Asian history.
Models that Make Chinese American History Come Alive
Professor Emeritus of San Diego Mesa College, Lois Wittner, joined us on 07/20, providing a lecture that illustrated her process in developing five scale models for our museum at 404 Third Avenue. John LeeWong, who participated in the process of developing the model of the Wong Lee Laundry, joined in as a discussant.
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Hawaii and other early Chinese Hawaiians
This webinar covered Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's time in Hawaii, as well as other important Chinese Hawaiians.
It was organized a panel discussion with expert historians including Dr. Shana Brown, Leland Sun, Dr. Busaba Yip, Leigh-Wai Doo, and Montgomery Hom.
China³: Maritime Silk Road
In the Ming Dynasty, Admiral Zheng He 鄭和船隊下西洋 traveled seven times from China all the way to Africa. His huge fleets loaded with silk, china, tea , lacquer and other treasures. He served as an ambassador of goodwill. This maritime Silk Road 海上絲綢之路created the early Chinese diaspora. SDCHM Board chairperson, Li-Rong Lilly Cheng, presented some of this history on May 11, 2024.
Landscape of AAPI Films: the past, present, and future
On April 20th, 2024, documentary filmmaker Felicia Lowe shared a history of her work in documentary filmmaking (coming from a background in broadcast media). Donald Young, of the Center for Asian American Media joined as a discussant.
Dragon Boat Festival and the Symbolism in Poem “Li Sao”
On March 16, 2024, Lily Tou Birmingham provided a lecture to celebrate the opening of our exhibition Li Sao, Qu Yuan, and the Dragon Boat Festival.
Li Sao: 2,300-Year-old Literary Gem Still Shines Today
The poem “Li Sao” is the longest known Chinese poem, written 2300 years ago. As a politician and poet, the author Qu Yuan expressed his ideals and emotions in a profound metaphorical method. Scholars have been studying this poem ever since it was written, and still more and more people are drawn to this poem. Dr. San Pao's presentation looked into the cultural inheritance and political environment at the time the poem was written, and how it influenced the later generations.
The Literati Influence on Contemporary Chinese Art
Through her talk on January 20, Elaine Pierce looked at the work of nine contemporary Chinese artists and traced their development to their literati roots, focusing especially on works from the Northern Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties.
Miniature Treasures of the Qing Dynasty and Beyond - the Historical Development of Chinese Snuff Bottles
Clare Chu, curator of the current exhibition at our Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Extension provided this lecture, tracing the history of snuff, which was introduced to China in the early 17th century when overseas trade routes expanded. In 1680, the Kangxi Emperor, himself a snuff-taker, established the Zaobanchu, the palace workshops, and the first snuff bottles were produced in the glass and enamel workshops. Contributing collector, Courtenay McGowen, lent to the conversation as discussant.
Zodiac Heads from the Garden of Perfect Brightness and the Negotiation of Cultural
In 1860, an imperial garden of the Qing dynasty emperors was looted and burned by British and French troops during the Second Opium War. Dr. Patricia Yu’s talk addressed the bronze animal zodiac heads from the Yuanming Yuan 圓明園, tracing their lives from auction to repatriation and beyond. Doctoral candidate Yifan Li joined the discussion.
In Flagrante Collecto: Caught in the act of Collecting. The Lure of the Chinese Snuff Bottle
Co-Chairperson of the SDMA Asian Art Council and featured collector of the SDCHM’s exhibition, Miniature Treasures of the Qing Dynasty & Beyond, Courtenay McGowen led this conversation on Chinese snuff bottles. In her talk, Courtenay gave a bit of historical background about this class of object, which may be produced from a wide variety of materials and incorporate a wide range of styles. Exhibition curator, Clare Chu joined the conversation as discussant.
Xuanzang and the Real Journey to the West
On July 15th, former SDCHM volunteer Jeff Trace gave a talk that followed the journeys of Xuanzang, a monk who traveled the silk road as a fugitive, searching in India and Nepal for answers to questions that troubled many fellow Buddhists during the 5th century A.C.E. Professor of History and Distinguished Faculty Scholar based at Western Michigan University, Dr. Victor Xiong joined as discussant
Chinese Laundries in San Diego
John LeeWong grew up in the Wong Lee Laundry on State Street in San Diego. His presentation built on the research behind his contribution to the museum’s permanent exhibition, which explores the 103 Chinese hand laundries that are documented as having operated in San Diego, along with the conditions that gave rise to this type of business. Li-Rong Lilly Cheng contributed to the discussion.
My Kyrgyzstan Days
In this edition of the Chinese Americans@SDSU mini-series, Dr. Zheng-Sheng Zhang spoke about his experience in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, studying the Dungan language and people. He shared his personal impressions and many images of this beautiful country, as well as his travels to the neighboring countries of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Resilient Women of California’s Chinatowns
Anne Hoiberg centered her presentation on a project she had partnered with the museum to produce, Resilient Women of California's Chinatowns, reading from Women of the Gaslamp Quarter and Chinatown, a booklet produced as part of the Resilient Women project. Li-Rong Lilly Cheng led the discussion.
Developer of China's Air Force
Speaker and performing artist, Andrea Yee, with her two daughters, Lynn, and Casey, narrated the story of their great (and great-great) grandfather, Art Lym, a Chinese American aviator born in San Francisco at the turn of the century, who would go on to play a role in forming the Air Force of the Republic of China in the 1920’s. Professor Sue Fawn Chung provided commentary.
The Story of Lim Lip Hong (1840/43-1920): Railroad Contractor, Mine Owner, Rancher, Butcher, and Venture Capitalist
Professor Sue Fawn Chung recounted the life and times of Lim Lip Hong, who had arrived to San Francisco at the age of 12 from Kaiping. He worked in a wide variety of trades, from laboring with Tubbs cordage factory to laying railroad lines with the Central Pacific, Virginia & Truckee, and Carson & Colorado companies. He settled in San Francisco at Dogpatch Ranch, where he raised a family. Performing artist, director, and writer of theater from San Francisco, Andrea Yee, joined as discussant.
Eureka’s Chinatown and the Case of Wing Hing VS the City of Eureka
Writer, reader, and historian Katie Buesch joined us on 12/17/2022. Her lecture concerned an event in 1885, in which the City of Eureka expelled approximately 300 Chinese immigrants, following the accidental shooting of a local politician. Her talk explored context of the expulsion, resistance by the immigrant community, and current work to recognize this historical legacy today.
Chinese Haggadahs, the Kings of Shanghai, and other tales of Jews in China, p.V of the Jewish people in China mini-series
For part five of the Jewish People in China mini-series, Bob Stein considered different histories of Jewish communities in China, from the community in Kaifeng South of the Yellow River to the Sasoon and Kadoorie families of the 19th and 20th centuries. Lala Corpuz joined us as discussant, and Lilly Cheng served as moderator of this presentation on 11/20/2022.
Ornamental Barbarians: European Figures as Decorative Motifs in 19th Century Guangdong
On 10/15/2022, Dr. William H. Ma (Assistant Art History Professor at Louisiana State University) gave a presentation on his research, considering the appearance of European figures as decorative motifs in architecture and quotidian objects produced in Guangdong, China, during the 18th and 19th centuries. He was joined by Patricia J. Yu, a doctoral candidate at UC Berkeley studying the Qing imperial garden of the Yuanmingyuan, who served as discussant.
China³, p. VI: Traces of the Maritime Silk Road
The 6th lecture in the China³ series took place on 09/24/2022. This lecture was led by Li-Rong Lilly Cheng, and considered traces of the maritime silk road through the exploration of seacraft remains on the ocean floor. Lilly's lecture took into account a range of examples, from the plunder of Mike Hatcher in the mid-1980's to the excavation of the Nanhai I, a merchant ship of the Southern Song Dynasty, which gave rise to the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong.
The Road to Happiness: Does it go through Daoism, Confucianism, or Buddhism?
Professor Sandra Wawrythko joined us on 07/16/2022 to provide a presentation drawing from her research as a specialist in Buddhist and Daoist epistemology, exploring common threads between Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Student of Guatama Buddha, Alex Li, participated as discussant, for a talk that was moderated by Bob Stein.
Interviewing Figure Skating Champion, Tiffany Chin
On 05/07/2022, at the start of Asian Heritage Month, San Diego local and international figure skating champion Tiffany Chin accompanied us in a lecture that was co-sponsored by the Chinese-American Heritage Foundation and the Chinese American Museum of Chicago. Director of San Diego City Council Communications for the office of Council President Dean Elo-Rivera Chris Chan moderated this session.
Do It Yourself: How To Find Your 2,600 Year Old Written Chinese Family Roots
Ambassador Elena Wachong (Costa Rica) lecture focused on the global barriers to finding Chinese diaspora family roots for non-Chinese speakers. She was joined by discussant Judith Rubenstein and moderator Bob Stein.
Visualizing the Past, p.IV of the Jewish people in China mini-series
Born in Berlin, John Hans Less (1923 – 2011) fled as a 16-year-old together with his family to Shanghai in September 1940 to escape the Nazis. On 03/20/2022, Less's son, Steven led this presentation with Hannah-Lea Wasserfuhr (Ph.D. candidate at the Center for Jewish Studies in Heidelberg), exploring the visual record John kept of his experience.
Red Bishop: the epic story of 20th century China through the life of Bishop Robin Chen.
On 02/26/2022, Dr. Robin Yuan joined us to present the story of Bishop Robin Chen, illustrating the history of 20th century China and China's experience with Christianity. Bob Stein moderated Dr. Yuan's talk; Heath Fox joined as discussant.
China³, p. V: China in the Netherlands: Global Trade, Exotic Porcelain, and Common Kitchen Tiles.
Dr. Hilda van Neck-Yoder led our program on 01/15/2022, presenting part five of the China³ series. Her talk considered the way in which "Kraak" porcelain, or blue and white porcelain made in Jingdezhen during the Ming Wanli reign influenced 17th-century Dutch art and culture.
China³, p. IV: Ceramics from the Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976
Art historian Jamie Kwan joined us on 12/04/2021 for part four of the China³ series. Her talk considered ceramic production at Jingdezhen during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), exploring the political context, different modes of production and fascinating imagery of the period.
The Extraordinary Life of Ma Sicong, China’s Greatest Violin Virtuoso
On 11/20/2021, M.G.Crisci and Dr. Cheng Ken Chi gave a presentation exploring the life of one of China's most notable musical geniuses, Ma Sicong, incorporating photos, documents, musical excerpts, and comments from Ma's last remaining family member (Dr. Cheng Ken Chi). Wang Jian moderated; Edward Yueng served as discussant.
China³, p. III: Porcelain as a medium for transcontinental exchange (Ming dynasty - Republic of China)
On 11/13/2021, Li-Rong Lilly Cheng led the third lecture in the China³ series, exploring pre-and early modern histories of transoceanic trade and cultural exchange, from the Ming dynasty to the early twentieth century (Republic of China). Bob Stein moderated; Hilda van Neck-Yoder and Wang Jian served as discussants.
Chinese Americans@SDSU, p.III: Angel Island
On 10/16/2021, Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan, Faculty Director of the SDSU Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Resource Center and children's book author, shared her research and knowledge about the paper son/daughter experience at Angel Island. She also discussed the challenges of teaching about the paper son experience and the connections to today's political landscape.
China³, p. II: The Silk Road and its Arab Milieu
On 10/02/2021, interdisciplinary artist, Doris Bittar, joined us for the second lecture in the China³ series. Dori's lecture explored the migration of patterns and design motifs, borne by goods traveling along the silk road, focusing on exchange between China and the Arab world.
We will not stay silent anymore!
On September 18, we welcomed members of San Diego's chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, including Brocade Wu (President OCASD) and Woo-Wah Siu (Former President of OCA Chicago and current Advisor to OCASD), who, along with OCA National's Associate Manager of Policy & Advocacy, Michael Nguyen, introduced the history of the organization and its advocacy work from the national to the local level. Chuenwei Hsu (Secretary, OCASD) and Peggy Lee (Lead of Outreach, OCASD), and Ron Cho (APAPA San Diego) contributed to the discussion.
China³, p. I
SDCHM Chairperson and Director of the SDSU Chinese Cultural Center, Dr. Li-Rong Lilly Cheng opened the first edition of a special lecture series under the title China³ on 09/04/2021. She was joined by SDCHM Interim Director, Bob Stein, who moderated a discussion featuring the voice of art historian Jamie Kwan.
The first lecture in the series established a foundation for the concept, exploring early histories of ceramics production in Jingdezhen (formerly known as “Changnan”), from prehistoric periods to the early Ming dynasty.
Chinese Americans@SDSU, p.II
On 08/21/2021, we welcomed four Chinese-American scholars from San Diego State University: Dr. Chris Mi (Professor + Chair of SDSU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering), Dr. Ping Lu (Professor and Chair of SDSU's Department of Aerospace Engineering), Dr. Samuel Shen (Distinguished Professor and former Chair of SDSU's Department of Mathematics and Statistics), and Dr. Mei Zhong (Faculty of SDSU's School of Journalism and Media Studies). After presenting a selection of research contributions from their respective professions, Dr. Mi, Dr. Lu, and Dr. Shen entered into discussion moderated by Dr. Zhong, also bringing in the voices of Yawen Li, Tao Xie, and Dr. Niyi Coker.
On the last ship from China, p.III of the Jewish people in China mini-series
Marina Shlau Cunningham led this presentation on 08/07/2021. After providing context for Russian migration to China from Russia in the early 20th century, Marina described life during her family's last years in China during the 1950’s, before departing for Ecuador. We heard about the schools, remaining and departed friends, gatherings at home, the Jewish and Soviet clubs, standing in line for food, participating in Sino Soviet celebrations, clandestinely listening to forbidden radio news; all under the cloud of worrying about what the future would bring.
The Kim Loo Sisters and Their Time
On 07/17/2021 we were pleased to feature producer / director Leslie Li and musicologist Eric Hung, who led a presentation addressing the current rise of anti-Asian sentiment in the United States using Leslie's documentary The Kim Loo Sisters as a prism to shed light on the critical issues of race, immigration, ethnicity, and cultural identity. Evelyn Lamden moderated the discussion following Leslie's slideshow.
Chinese Tea Culture and Teapots
In this episode on 06/26/2021, we were joined by Andy Lu (speaker) and Evelyn Lamden. Andy provided an introduction to how Chinese tea culture influenced other country’s tea drinking habits. He also showed a number of beautiful and unique Qing Dynasty teapots circa 17th century from his personal collection. Audience members learned about the differences between green tea, black tea and scented tea as well as the health benefit of using Yixing clay (Zisha) teapots to properly prepare tea.
Garden of Words: Calligraphy and the Huntington's Chinese Garden
On 06/19/2021, we were joined by Dr. Phillip Bloom, who is the June and Simon K.C. Li Curator of the Chinese Garden and director of the Center for East Asian Garden Studies at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Phillip's talk surveyed works of calligraphy that are featured in the Liu Fang Yuan (Garden of Flowing Fragrance) and previewed an upcoming exhibition, A Garden of Words: The Calligraphy of Liu Fang Yuan, which will open later in August 2021 at the Huntington's new art gallery, the Studio for Lodging the Mind. Heath Fox (La Jolla Historical Society) moderated the discussion following Dr. Bloom's talk.
Northern School and Southern School of Painting in China
David Miles (SDMA) gave a talk on Chinese landscape paintings, referring to the teachings of Ming Dynasty painter, Dong Qichang (1555 - 1636 CE), who categorized them in relation to the Northern School or the Southern School. His talk on 06/15/2021 was moderated by Dr. Bob Stein.
Archaeological Findings in San Diego's Chinatown
Robert Stein opened our 05/15/2021 program with a talk about archaeological findings from sites in San Diego's historic Chinatown, and how these objects tell a story about their former owners. Russell Low joined him to provide commentary.
Tang Dynasty Pottery
Betty Carr (SDMA) joined us for a 1st Saturday lecture on 04/03, where she spoke about ceramics production and global trade during the Tang dynasty (618 to 907 C.E.). Andy Lu contributed to the discussion, which was moderated by Evelyn Lamden, with a presentation of ceramic objects from his own collection.
From Foundations to Frontiers
On March 20, 2021, we were pleased to host a presentation of a study commissioned by the Committee of 100 (C100) to the Economist Group. "From Foundations to Frontiers" explores the enduring contributions of Chinese Americans to our national fabric, from the 19th century to the present day. C100 Senior Program Associate (and study lead), Lloyd Feng shared a presentation of the study, which was followed by a panel discussion convening members of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA), including Ron Cho (President, APAPA San Diego Chapter), Dr. Howard Wang (Chairperson, APAPA San Gabriel chapter), Dr. Shu Chien (former Chairperson, SDCHM Board of Trustees), Dr. Philip Chinn (Professor Emeritus, Cal State Los Angeles), and Dr. Lilly Cheng (Chairperson, APAPA San Diego Chapter / Director, SDSU CCC / Chairperson, SDCHM Board of Directors).
Check out https://contributingacrossamerica.economist.com/ for more information about the study.
The History of Chinese School in San Diego
On March 6th, John LeeWong (marketing and advertising professional and alum of the Chung Wah school, 1959-1963) gave a detailed presentation of the history of Chinese language school in San Diego, from the early 20th century (also considering the Chinese Mission School from the late 19th century as a predecessor) to the present-day. A classmate (and current president of the House of China), David Seid, provided commentary following John's presentation.
How Many Type of Cloisonné Are There?
Cloisonné is a decorative art form practiced since 1300 BCE. Traditionally, wires are used to divide colors on a metal substrate and to create designs and then filled with fused glass or enamel coloring. On 02/6/2021, Sherry Reed joined us at the Chinese American Experience & Beyond to share her studies of this art form. Andy Lu accompanied her, highlighting a number of cloisonné objects from his own personal collection. Evelyn Lamden, an experienced marketing executive and consummate lover of the arts, moderated the conversation.
Qing Dynasty Porcelen Decoration
Allie Arnell joined us on 01/16/2021, providing a lecture on beauty of Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) porcelain. Her talk focused on how specific rulers reinvigorated the ceramic industry, and celebrated the colorful glazes of several great moments of Chinese ceramic history as well as fresh approaches to color and glaze technique. Andy Lu complimented Allie’s presentation by showing a number of porcelain items from his personal collection.
The Beauty and Danger of Chinese Lacquer
On 12/19/2020, Ray Menegus spoke about the processes involved in making objects with lacquer, a substance that was used to color, beautify, and protect screens, furniture, sculpture, bowls, etc. It could be carved, incised and inlaid. Mr. Menegus’ personal experience making a carved lacquer box showed us how difficult this technique is. Following Ray's presentation, commentary was provided by Andy Lu, who showed a number items made with lacquer and inlay techniques from his extensive collection.
Virtual Realities: Extreme Illusionism in Qing Court Painting
On 11/21/2020, Elaine Pierce spoke about the influence of East-West exchange in Qing dynasty painting. Her lecture, "Virtual Realities: Extreme Illusionism in Qing Court Painting," centered on works by an extraordinarily versatile artist, Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining), under the patronage of one of the greatest connoisseurs of all times, the Qianlong Emperor.
Jade, Stone of Heaven
On Saturday, November 7th, Catherine Jones led a presentation on the significance of Jade in the Chinese tradition. Following Cathy's lecture, commentator Andrew Lu shared a slideshow featuring pieces from his personal collection, which spans Asia and Mesoamerica. The floor then opened to community members, who shared a range of jade items from their own personal collections.
Walking Tour of the Asian Pacific Historic District
This program unfolded as a "Virtual Walking Tour of the Asian Pacific Historic District," led by Amie Lee Garapich and Michael Yee, following an online resource prepared by Michael with use of ArcGIS Storymaps.
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