About the Author: John Jung was born in 1937 in Macon, Georgia, where his parents, the only Chinese in town, lived above their Sam Lee Laundry. Earning a Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1962, he was a Professor of Psychology at California State University, Long Beach for 40 years, publishing many research articles as well as eight college textbooks including most recently, Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Behavior: Psychological Research Perspectives. Thousand Oaks, Ca.: Sage Publications, 2001. Sec. Ed. 2010.
Yin & Yang Press books blend history and psychology to examine lives of Chinese immigrants from Guangdong who were self-employed in businesses such as laundries, groceries, and restaurants from the late 1800s until past the middle of the last century. Their struggles against substantial obstacles and how they dealt with them are inspiring and must be recognized, admired, and recorded because they paved the way for later generations of Chinese to have a better life.
4413 Via Majorca Cypress, CA. 90630 jrjung@yahoo.com
Southern Fried Rice is a story of my immigrant parents and their children, the only Chinese in a city in the Deep South, running a laundry from just before the Great Depression until the early 1950s when they moved to San Francisco to escape social and cultural isolation to join a Chinese community. The memoir raises issues that are central to the daily lives of immigrants from many lands as they struggle to adjust to a new country with a different language and customs. It describes how they encounter prejudice and discrimination against racial minorities in America, manage to earn a living through hard work and frugality, stay connected to family and relatives in their homeland, and eventually become acculturated to American ways. This narrative, woven with genuine scholarship about the lives of Chinese immigrants, is a masterful bit of storytelling. It is an admirable and valuable contribution. Ronald Gallimore, Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA A charming and engrossing self-ethnography. More importantly, John Jung’s book enhances the archive on Asians in the South as well as our understanding of how Jim Crow situated the Chinese between “white” and “colored. Leslie Bow, University of Wisconsin Author "Partly Colored:
uch an onal it s n i y tor e rs your s r story is p lass g n i l l u e rt yo gc you fo While icity, workin Thank g manner. ause of its hinese ethn city c in C specifi engag niversal be h layers of e h t d n u it a is also ion laced w dynamics, t d a rnia found tructure an Califo , e l a s family outh. ist, Sunnyv S rt flow of the y Wong, A autiful feel e b a O to has Flo ad. It at is easier eals e r o t d s a joy ng quality th n humor, it -day i k o o i -to Your b an enrichi . Couched of day e here r e d t e t n b a i a cam sm escr to it is to d l and seriou couple who heir t i n a t fu th ce of a e pain faith in with th s of existen more than le ia g strugg rdly anythin eir spines. n, Californ h t o a with h nd steel in , Kensingt a a n s was t Sa x e hear until it d n a n h w s o i Kr hoo ok d he bo y own child he t t u p n't in t fm - could ed many o w Zealand ust g n i t e r m ro Ne "Riv - it mir wing up in experience d e h s i t o r g fin ran i e n ce s immig orld over." exper e Chinese w d e the h ealan 50s. T en the sam nd, New Z e la h a ve b o n g , A u c k W Helen
Thank you for a wonderful evening as a speaker at the Chi-Am Circle dinner. Your speech and life in the South typify some of the members in our group. My husband went through a lot when he was a child in Mississippi. C. F. You had the audience in the palm of your hands at the luncheon today! Thank you so much for taking the time to come up and share some of your experiences with us. Several people came up to me later to tell me how much they enjoyed your talk. G. I. I was pleased to be in your audience in Phoenix, and purchased both books from you. I thoroughly enjoyed reading So. Fried Rice and to know ChineseAmericans all over the US of our generation all felt the same about ourselves, no matter the parents_ occupation, or our lifestyles. J. Yen Thank you again for coming to Houston last weekend and for giving us such an interesting talk. I enjoyed reading your first book, "Southern Fried Rice" before the talk and am now reading your second book on "Chinese Laundries". I understand that you are working on your third book "Chopsticks in the Land of Cotton." I like your writing style. It is clear and easy to read. J. T.
A social history of the role of the Chinese laundry on the survival of early Chinese immigrants in the U.S. and Canada Why and how Chinese got into the laundry business and how they had to fight discriminatory laws and competition from white-owned laundries to survive. Description of their lives, work demands, and living conditions. Reflections by a sample of children who grew up living in the backs of their laundries provide vivid first-person glimpses of the difficult lives of Chinese laundrymen and their families. of Chinese on to the history ti bu ri nt co t an ic who … a signif someone like Jung by ld to st be … s laundrie rstands its ry life,’ and unde nd au ‘l a d ce en and en ri expe Chinese laundrym e th on ct pa im l psychologica their families. . . merican tor of Chinese A ra u C , ee L . K m Murray istorical Museu H e es in h C go ie orical History, San D mprehensive hist co a ... ok bo e bl d States, a … a remarka dries in the Unite un la se ne hi C e s of study of th gical experience lo ho yc ps e th of milies profound analysis erica and their fa m A in en ym dr who has the Chinese laun ritten by someone w l, al e ov ab d dry, it is a in China; an h the Chinese laun it w s ce en ri pe ex and intimate nts whose labor ra ig m im se ne hi ican tribute to those C the Chinese Amer of on ti da un fo e sacrifice laid th e Chinese a testimony of th d an y, it un m m and co , resourcefulness, ce en li si re ’s en laundrym s, The humanity. To Save Ourselve a, in h C e av S o York. Renqiu Yu, T Alliance of New ry d n au L d an Chinese H
I appreciated that you wrote this book, because it has given me a deeper perspective in what it means to be a second generation Chinese American of emigrant parents who operated a Chinese laundry. I understand that all minorities that emigrated to the United States in search of a better life had their struggles with survival and discrimination, this makes me not only value and respect my parents, but for other emigrant parents who desired their children to be prosperous.
It is fabulous that you have compiled stories of Chinese laundry life within North America, It is amazing to The Berkeley Chinese Communi ty Church Senior Center learn how others grew up with similar experiences…the have been twice blessed with you excerpts made me both laugh and cry. One thing for r presentations, last year on "Chinese Laundries" and this year on "Southern sure is that growing up in a Chinese laundry is Fried Rice." You have a way of colourful and interesting. Working class ethnic culture telling your stories that bring back so many memories of our own lives as we all is so sur-real. Elwin Xie, Vancouver
grew up as 2nd generation Chine se Americans. We look forward to a presentation on you r 3rd book "Chopsticks in Congratulations on a landmark achievement. We know the Land of Cotton" with great ant icipation. Warren how much work you put into this volume and I am highly Chinn After reading the chapter on "Liv es of Chinese Laundry Children” I felt great pride in my unique experiences (growing up in a laundry), and wa s very happy to have my thoughts and feelings norma lized. Kathy I just wanted to tell you how mu ch we enjoyed your lecture on Chinese laundries. Tha nk you for coming to Arizona State University and giv ing us a most enjoyable time.
honored to be a small part of your accomplishment. Thank you so much for preserving this part of history. I think you will be long remembered for your work. Ken Lee, Ohio State University.
The story of how a few Chinese immigrants found their way to the Mississippi River Delta in the late 1870s and earned their living with small family operated grocery stores in neighborhoods where mostly black cotton plantation workers lived. What was their status in the segregated black and white world of that time and place? How did this small group preserve their culture and ethnic identity? "Chopsticks in the Land of Cotton" is a social history of the lives of these pioneering families and the unique and valuable role they played in their communities for over a century. ore f yet one m n Jung o y r to s e ks" tells th acity in which Joh in "Chopstic hinese ten Chinese immigrants C f o le p m r exa s of pionee from laborers to th a p e th s e ed r trac s they mov y store merchants fo a i p ip s is s er Mis essful groc bers and relatives c c u s e m o m bec family me Chopsticks" pays h it w s e d a f dec .. your book presents the most definitive and ckbone. " a b " attitude o e o d th s n a a c g " in d v n a ser e c n accurate account of the Chinese in the Ms e resilie tribute to th ising entrepreneurs. an Joaquin T Delta--what it was like to be Chinese and eS rpr these ente innick, Sam Fow,Th nM growing up in the segregated South during that Sylvia Su y c a eg time. Thanks for all your time and effort in Chinese L g into the in g n lu P ! in researching and telling the story of the Ms done it aga the Mississippis a h g n u J s in John Chinese Grocers in the Land of Cotton. Peter Joe ese grocer migration history, in h C f o y ir e th histor s a, he trace His work is Yazoo Delt s, and social lives. , "What a juicy read! The hard work, the social ilie ral history o f o ix m work, fam e c v li ti b a u isolation, the networking, the solutions of a cre and p anchored in istorical documents l of photos. fil yh communit includes a generous iangular race problems such as education in a segregated tr d records, an the complexities of rivals society which never had them in mind - it's k r o w f is o h As a study e Jim Crow South, Mississippi mind-boggling! And the similarities and th e differences in the Chinese relationships with relations in n's classic study, Th e w e o L s e Jam DR whites as opposed to blacks - fascinating! Your esident: F r P e . h e t s f e ) o 1 r 0 e 0 d 2 Chin r ( O books are a significant contribution to the social ricans inson, By nese Ame a p a J Greg Rob f o t rnmen history of this nation." Nan McGehee d the Inte an
Thanks for the informative and educational presentation at Berkeley CCC. It was very well received. … The southern friends were delighted to meet you and hear the lecture. Rachel Wong I completely understood your sense of "not being Chinese enough." Even today, when I am in a room full of Chinese adults, I feel like a foreigner, too much "white" attitude to be Chinese. Not only was I the ONLY Chinese kid in Baton Rouge, La... I was also an only child in a typical Chinese family (be seen but not heard) so I led a very lonely existence. I did not make a Chinese friend until I was in the 4th grade, when we moved back to New Orleans… I am grateful for your willingness to share your story with us last Saturday in Washington, D.C. I felt like you overwhelmed the audience and left them wanting to hear more... We have heard nothing but positive comments from many of the folks who attended. Stan Lou
"Sweet and Sour" examines the history of Chinese family restaurants in the U. S. and Canada. The goal of "Sweet and Sour" is to understand how the small Chinese family restaurants functioned. Narratives provided by 10 Chinese who grew up in their family restaurants in all parts of the North America provide valuable insights on the role that this ethnic business had on their lives. Is there any future for this type of immigrant enterprise in the modern world of franchised and corporate owned eateries or will it soon, like the Chinese laundry, be a relic of history? I greatly ad m Chinese Fa ired and enjoyed "S we m going over ily Restaurants" It d et and Sour: Life in o th es an excell e Chinese re e historical backgrou staurants, u nd on early nt job of n U ea me. And th . e interview rthing lots of materia S. ln s up a whole new side to of Chinese restaurate ew to u work and li the story, o r f what it w s opened ve in these “When reading Sweet and Sour, I was a r s estaurants. like to Andrew C oe, "Chop struck by how it is both a work of Suey: A C Food in th ultural His e United S scholarship and a documentation of the tory of Ch tates" inese experience of Chinese restaurant workers. J It serves to teach us about their experiences ohn Jung again demonstr ates a data on multiple levels.” Heather Lee, Brown operawith fascinating first-pers marvelous ability to blen ted Chine on accoun d archival se eateries ts to bring society. Fo th to a li t fe a re quickly the family llowing so disappeari lid histori of 10 indiv n g c fr a l o g m today’s roundwork iduals wh You've made some amazing observations, old-time chop sue o grew up in such plac , Jung uses narratives y houses. es to take the person Their stori readers in wrote them down with sincerity, and I al, familia e side s p ro vide a can l, and cult As with h did telling u ra l significa is earlier b wholeheartedly support you on it. You've g of nce of the ooks on C roc s brought back some fond memories and I'm evenery stores, the author she hinese family-owned laue familiar cafes. ds a fresh ndries and more fam and ample iliar. And sure it will touch other folks like myself out. o li n g c e h t on a sub again he Mel that have gone through it. Dave Chow Comm Brown, "Chinese Hear does it so well from the inject t of Texas unity 187 side :T 5-1
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Bravo! Wonderful talk on my favorite of all of your books! Thank YOU for being the object of our overwhelming attendance and I hope you sold a few books to the attendees! The food was good at the Forbidden City, the ambience was great, and you proved that you were the "man of the hour"! Thank you for "being" our event. Hazel Wallace, Past President, U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association-Long Beach.
Thank you for making the trip to Chicago for this very special event. Everyone had great compliments for your presentation! Soo Lon Moy Thanks for a great presentation!!!! As I told you earlier today, my friends were greatly impressed with you and your info on Chinese families of restaurant owners... it is an honor to meet you and hope to see more of you again in Portland. Bruce Wong
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Recognition Grant Din Director of Special Projects at Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation John writes books in a very readable way about topics that need to be told such as the growth and decline of Chinese laundries, and growing up Chinese in the American South. I have heard him speak to groups, and he has a very entertaining and informative style. Gregory J. Hugh Chairman of the Board at CHINESE HERITAGE FOUNDATION John was very cooperative and knowledgeable when I approached him about doing a review of his book for our newspaper, China Insight. Raymond Chong Flying Swan Trading Company, LLC John Jung is an excellent writer of the Chinese American experience. His well-researched books are unique and rare glimpses of lives of the sojourners in Gold Mountain. He is a very passionate advocate in remembering our history and legacy. PC Wu Councilman at City of Pensacola John is an exceptional historian and writer. He has done so much to preserve the history of the Chinese in America. In addition he is an outstanding presenter. Ronald Gallimore, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at UCLA Like pilots, there are old academics and bold academics, but few old, bold academics. John Jung is an exception. After a distinguished and mainstream academic career, in retirement he decided to write an autobiographical account of his 1940s childhood as a member of the only Chinese-American family living in Macon, Georgia. This book was compelling not only because of the unique social circumstances of his early life but its smooth, seamless integration of solid scholarship on Chinese in America. A highly favorable response to his autobiography led to many speaking events across the nation, and in so doing he discovered the lived experiences of scores of Chinese Americans. Three more books followed, all as compelling and significant as the first. John is unique in many ways, but none more striking than what he has accomplished in his second career, begun in his 7th decade. His wry and engaging wit, solid scholarship, and accomplished writing style has produced four books of note, ones that will be read for generations by anyone interested in the history and contributions of Chinese-Americans. Riki Hamilton Jackson Assistant Director, Confucius Institute and Asian Studies - U of Memphis Dr. Jung is an incredible professor, author, and professional. I have read all of his books and enjoyed having him join us in Memphis as a professional speaker for the CIUM. He's terrific! Tunney Lee Professor Emeritus, M.I.T., Cambridge, MA. John's books are well researched and cover topics of Chinese-American history untouched elsewhere. Gilroy Chow Engineering Manager at Metso Minerals John is a very astute observer of the evolution and growth of the Chinese society as it existed and exists across America. As a scholar and trained author he has captured the essence of life in the microcosms of Chinese life in several venues. His attention to detail and ability to simplify complex interactions has help capture and tell these stories to a broad and diverse audience. Claire McLeveighn Specialist in Global Public-Private Partnership, and External Affairs As an author and publisher, John Jung has made major contributions to the knowledge base of his readers and potentially countless others relative to U.S. history and the role and important place of Chinese Americans in this framework. All Americans, not just those of Chinese descent benefit from John's skillful work at Yin and Yang Press. Albert Lee Photographer / researcher, Chinese Canadian history John writes from the heart and is also informed in a scientific approach to his subjects. Franklin Carvajal Ph.D., LCP President and CEO at E Mental Health Center Dr. Jung is an ardently passionate writer and researcher who publishes works in new and exciting areas related to Chinese American history. He has always done a great job at shedding light on topics that unfortunately have not been the focus of past writers interested in Chinese American history, such as what it was like to be a Chinese American in the heart of the South in the 60's. Does not get any better!