ABSTRACT
October 18, 2005. It was 3:30 in the afternoon and I was attending the Chinese Media Day at a Boys and Girls Club in Bridgeport. Co-sponsored by the 11th Ward Democratic Party, the Chicago Police Department C.A.P.S. Program, Fire Department, Public Schools, Public Library, South Loop Chamber of Commerce, Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Commission on Human Relations, and two other Chinese American civic organizations, the event was noted for its many distinguished guest speakers. 2 Teachers led children from different public schools and civic agencies into the gymnasium and seated them in their assigned spots. Altogether seven speakers went up to the front and talked to the children. The 11th Ward Alderman preceded his speech with a fervent “Go, Sox!” cheer for the White Sox. I could barely hear the speakers because of the echo in the gymnasium, but the kids did not seem to care. They were busy talking amongst themselves. It was only when Bob Love, a former Chicago Bulls player, appeared on stage that the audience got a little enthusiastic. Several boys went up and asked Love to sign their notebooks. A staff member from the Daley library said to me, “I wish I could leave early. I need to pick up my daughter.” At around 4:10 someone started drawing raffle tickets. The distinguished guests left one by one. Some kids went up to get free pizza and a drink, suddenly inspiring a crowd of young people to rush into the gymnasium just for the food. As the pizza line grew longer, the place started getting chaotic.
