Newsletter

March 2006
CAPA Comments: Message from President Joel Wong

Before I start my message, I’d like to ask each of you a “rhetorical” question:

Is the playground level for all Asian Americans?

Before my retirement in early 2000 from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, my world revolved around my work, my play and my family. That state of mind changed overnight when the Wen Ho Lee incident occurred at Los Alamos, a sister laboratory. All of a sudden I realized that a similar situation could happen to other loyal Chinese Americans at the National Laboratories. I became very involved and started speaking up on Asian American issues including serving a two-year term as CAPA’s President from 2000 to 2002.

Fast-forward a few years. I am once again enjoying my retirement: baby-sitting my grandson; playing music; entertaining at my mother’s nursing home; working out at the gym; traveling to places I have always wanted to visit including many ski trips; dragon-boating; visiting online with my childhood friends; and generally having a great time. Even though I was still serving on the CAPA Board, I was rather busy enjoying my “well-earned retirement”.

When I was nominated to be CAPA’s President again this year and when I was asked to write a message to our members, I had a severe case of writer’s cramps. I really had to think really hard about issues. I had to look up references and search the Internet to re-acquaint myself with problems confronting Asian Americans.

Of course, the issues facing Asian Americans are still obvious and never went away. We face discrimination at the workplace every day. The glass ceiling is still intact. Stereotyping is still rampant. Politicians are still wondering about our loyalty to the United States. The playground is definitely NOT level.

I am using myself as an example on how complacent we can be. Many of us have studied and worked hard and have achieved some levels of success. Mainstream Americans are more accepting of us compared to just a couple of decades ago. Life never looked so good.

Let me tell you this is just an illusion. There are about 4% of Asian Americans in our country and until we have approximately the same percentages of Asians in decision-making positions, until politicians take us seriously and until overt and subtle discriminations cease to exist, we have not yet arrived.

Our organization has always enjoyed a great reputation in that we handle all issues and challenges with vigor, honor and integrity. The day will come when we have achieved all our goals and our organization is no longer needed. Until that day and with your help, I pledge to keep the CAPA tradition going.