Large numbers of EAA readers will soon experience seasonal holidays intended for peaceful spiritual or personal reflection. Unfortunately, particularly since spring 2020, a plethora of events with many profound actual and potential negative consequences overwhelm us all at times. The following quartet of selections from the EAA archives are intended to celebrate human beings coming together, fighting for freer societies, saving lives, and intrepidly creating the first “classic” Chinese food craze during the America of the 1920s as celebrities, screen stars, sports legends, and ordinary people rushed to embrace this new cuisine.
Singaporean Leonard C. Sebastian recounts that for many of his generation who were children in the 1970s, a love of football helped young people of different religions and races to bond a decade after his small island nation’s much more turbulent clashes of the 1960s. (Editor’s Note: Leonard graciously allowed substitution of the term “soccer” in order to gently move North Americans along, despite the more common worldwide name of “football.”)
Edward J. Baker is a long-time Korea specialist who also knew and worked with Kim Dae-jung. Although the late president had his flaws, he was a persistent, courageous, and ultimately successful advocate of the democratization of South Korea and showed immense resolve and courage in the face of assassination attempts and incarceration.
David B. Gordon tells the inspiring story of Republic of China diplomat, Ho Fengshan, and his more well-known Japanese counterpart, Sugihara Chiune. Each were personally committed to saving Jews from the Nazis and effectively acted upon their beliefs while disregarding their governments’ official policies.
“Who’s Afraid of Chop Suey?” by Charles W. Hayford (Vol. 16, No. 3, Winter 2011)
Charles W. Hayford skillfully writes the true and humorous story of how late nineteenth and early twentieth century Chinese immigrants constructed the legend of Chop Suey’s classical origins, to the culinary delight of many Americans. First time readers should love this story!
