华人和中华文化本来就是美国主流一员

今年本地华人新春晚会上,我给观众的致辞:

华人在美国的历史和美国一样长.从当年跨洲铁路建设到今天的硅谷高科技产业,华人一直在给美国做出卓越的贡献.庆祝中国新年,就是让大家知道,中华文化本来就是美国不可分割的一部分,华人本来就是美国主流的一成员.我们,以及我们的后代,不需要抛弃自己的文化去所谓的"融入主流",因为中华文化本来就是美国的主流.

美国是一个伟大的国家,她的伟大来源于象我们这样的移民带来了祖先的灿烂文化,丰富了这个国家的成分和结构.美国是个多民族国家,作为美国的一员,我们有责任弘扬中华文化,让美国大家庭更加丰富多彩,充满活力.

Chinese Americans have been in this country since the beginning of US history. From transcontinental railroad construction in the 18th century to today’s high tech industry in the Silicon Valley, we have made significant contribution to this great nation. By promoting activities such as Chinese New Year Gala, we bring to public awareness that Chinese culture has always been an integral part of America society, so that our children, and our children’s children, can be proud of who they are, knowing fully well that they are a part of the America mainstream, not some marginal foreigners who need to fit in into some other culture.