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Bridges with Asia: Asian Americans in the United States:
Seeking Common Ground While Representing Differences: Asian Americans and U.S. Foreign Policy
Shirley Young
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Vice President, Consumer Markets Development, General Motors, Detroit, MI,
and Chairperson, Committee of 100
Shirley Young discussed the necessity for Asian Americans to participate in the larger political processes of the United States. She stressed that foreign policy issues regarding the homelands of Asian Americans are particularly important because they ultimately affect their daily lives. Young encouraged Asian American groups to form coalitions which are more effective politically than individual groups. She used as an example her own organization, the Committee of 100, which is made up of individuals representing distinct groups. If coalitions are not feasible, she recommends that disparate groups or individuals contribute to the struggle for political empowerment in whatever manner possible.
Immigrant Shirley Young ascended the ladder of success through schooling and hard work. She studied journalism, but moved into market advertising instead. Throughout her career, Young felt that being a woman rather than being Asian was the greatest hindrance to her success. It was not until the Tiananmen Square incident, in 1989, that her being Asian became an issue. Various people barraged her with questions on Tiananmen, but she could not respond. As a Chinese American, she knew little about this issue. At that moment, she realized that whether or not a connection actually existed, Asian affairs could intimately affect the daily lives of Asian Americans.
In the aftershocks of Tiananmen, Young and several of her prominent colleagues, such as I. M. Pei, decided to form an organization that would facilitate Chinese American participation in foreign policy decisions. Through this organization, called the Committee of 100, members have been able to use their bicultural heritage to bridge misunderstandings between the United States and China and exercise greater control over their own destinies.
Young drew on a media debacle to illustrate the effectiveness of such organizations.
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“60 Minutes” reporter Connie Chung ran a story about a Chinese engineer/spy who had been planted in the United States by Chinese corporations and the Chinese government. Instead of pointing out that this was an isolated case, however, Chung suggested that Chinese are not to be trusted by saying “Your neighbor could be a spy, too.” The Committee of 100 played a prominent role in securing an apology from CBS. |
In another act of public leadership, the committee recently sent a proposal to the U.S. Congress recommending that the foreign policy stance toward China be revised. The committee requested that (1) Congress support a one-China policy, (2) increase regulation of business transactions in China, (3) enforce the rights of individuals, (4) continue negotiations to stabilize U.S.–Chinese relationships, (5) relax government censorship in China, (6) conduct a direct dialogue between China and Taiwan, and (7) develop a U.S.–China relationship based on greater cultural deference. Asian Americans must cooperate with one another to take a prominent part in the drive to implement this policy.
Young asserted that since Asian Americans have benefited from this country, they must help it realize the benefits of a diverse, interracial society. Although not everyone can form organizations like the committee, they can contribute in their unique ways.
Discussion
Most questions focused on the success of the Committee of 100. Young asserted that its key to success centered on cohesion and a commitment to specific causes. She also discussed committee efforts to move toward grass-roots activism. Comprising many members who represent diverse interests, the committee has already engaged in a number of collaborative efforts with various groups. Finally, Young addressed strategies the private sector can employ to ameliorate social problems in Asian countries. She conceded that corporations act in their own interests, which are best served by a stable U.S.–China relationship. Despite the motivation of corporate self-interest, Young suggested that the private sector might also make contributions toward bettering society out of a sense of social responsibility.
Endnotes
*: Shirley Young is Vice President for Consumer Market Development for the General Motors Corporation. During a distinguished career in advertising and marketing at GM and Grey Advertising, Ms. Young received many awards, including Advertising Woman of the Year by the American Advertising Federation and the Women’s Equity Action Award for Achievement in Advertising. Active in many Chinese American and cultural organizations, Ms. Young is Chairperson of the Committee of 100, a national Chinese American leadership resource, and Chairperson of the US-China Cultural Foundation. She also serves on the board of directors of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in Shanghai. In 1994, she became Honorary Professor at Tongji University in Shanghai. Back.
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