Yelando Johnson and Huachuan Wen

Recorded April 17, 2021 Archived April 16, 2021 49:02 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id: ddv000677

Description

One Small Step conversation partners and colleagues Yelando Johnson (53) and Huachuan Wen (44) discuss how their experiences as people of color have impacted their careers.

Subject Log / Time Code

Yelando Johnson (YJ) and Huachuan Wen (HW) introduce themselves. YJ discusses growing up in New Orleans and her family. HW talks about growing up in China and becoming an educator. They both discuss the lack of diversity on their campus.
YJ talks about how Newman is a predominantly white institution. She discusses trying to bring diversity to Newman and not getting university support in that effort. She also discusses connecting with students of color.
HW shares that it’s important to him to share his experiences as an Asian immigrant.
They share their earliest memories of politics. YJ remembers mock elections in high school and HW remembers tv programs and textbooks.
HW and YJ share how they got to Newman University. HW discusses moving to the US for a PhD program, and how his family decided to stay in the US. YJ reflects on her time as a social worker, becoming an adjunct professor, and how she became a professor at Newman.
HW considers how the 2008 financial crisis impacted his job search and how he might’ve been overlooked as a candidate because of his immigration status.
YJ shares people’s reactions when she tells them about her PhD. She also talks about feeling tokenized and having to deal with people’s assumptions and stereotypes.
HW discusses feeling like an outsider and recounts racist attacks he endured as a doctoral student and in his current neighborhood. YJ talks about having clients call her racial slurs and how that challenged her to try and continue working with them.
HW talks about his role in representing the Asian immigrant community, particularly at Newman.
They share their hopes for the future. YJ hopes for a change in police brutality against Black men and for equality. HW is hopeful the US becomes more inclusive and fears conflicts between the US and China.

Participants

  • Yelando Johnson
  • Huachuan Wen

Partnership Type

Outreach

Initiatives


Transcript

StoryCorps uses Google Cloud Speech-to-Text and Natural Language API to provide machine-generated transcripts. Transcripts have not been checked for accuracy and may contain errors. Learn more about our FAQs through our Help Center or do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions.

00:01 My name is Yolanda Johnson and I am 53 years old. The date is Saturday. April 17th, 2021. I am located in Wichita, Kansas. My partner's name is Doctor. Hush one. When and he is my one small step conversation partner.

00:27 My name is watch one. When I'm 44 years old. Today's date is April, 17th, 2021. I mean, Wichita, Kansas. My. Partner's name is yelando, Johnson. I'm a co-worker to her. And if she's alright, she's my one, small step conversation partner today.

00:53 Doctor wins, bio. I am a faculty member at Neumann University. I am in Asian. I have been in the United States for 11 years. My children were born here and being raised or rather educated in American way. My cultural heritage is hard to find its way into their upbringing, my wife and I didn't give up trying. I am also concerned about the anti-asian ideologies or behavior, among some people in this country, reaching out to people and being generally accepted, is a struggle for me.

01:35 Talk to Johnson's Bayou. I was born and raised in New Orleans away. I'm a black female and I absolutely love my culture. I graduated from a HBCU 7 with a bachelor of Social Work in 1992. I relocated to Wichita in 1988 with my husband and two children. I went back to school and obtained, a, my MSW, an MBA, from Newman and Social Work, such as Integrity, treating people with dignity and respect.

02:20 Okay, so I guess I'm not sure where to begin as far as my story.

02:29 You know, I would say I'm an only child. I had never met my father, never knew and never saw a picture of him until I turned 50 years old and I saw the first picture of my father in real and then pout, my sister had a sister and a brother. But before then I was just, I was raised by my grandparents until they passed away and I was nine years old and then my mother raised me. My mother actually got pregnant when she went off to college in South Carolina and when she got pregnant, they sent her back home and cuz I was born

03:11 And what I had, you know, of course, being the only child I was pretty much giving anything. I wanted anything that they could afford at that time. We, you know, we, we, we were poor, but yet I went to Catholic private schools until my pick, my grandparents died. But by that time, I realize that number one. I did not want to live in New Orleans. It's a, it's a great place to visit, but I would started watching the news with my grandfather and every time.

03:47 You can watch the news. It was always people that look like me dying, killing each other, especially black males from drugs and gang violence. So, I realize by the time I was twelve, I did not want to live my life that way, you know, there's so many different colleges in New Orleans in Louisiana, and it's a given to go to college, believe it or not. And so I, you know, who I was going to college, went to make something of myself, the men in my family, which was my mother's brother's most of them were military. So I thought I would just join the military become an officer and just, you know, going on with my life and be successful, course that did not happen. My mother was very sickly all the time. I'm always in the hospital. So when she was in the hospital that left me, you know, alone to Raise Myself. And I guess that's how I became very self-sufficient.

04:47 Are on in life. Once again. I knew that I needed to do something with my life as a black person on New Orleans wasn't very, very racist place and they let you know, it wasn't no hitting things. Everything was just in your face. No, blacks here. I'm not going to paint you or, you know, in the French Quarter, don't get a lot of a restaurant. I was used to that even in high school when I was a college, I went to hbcus which is a historically black college or university. And that is where I realized. I'm in there where they taught us that we're going to have to as a person of color work harder to do more things and still really not be appreciate it, but we can be the best anything that we can be. And I graduated from there. And then I went to, I moved following around with my ex-husband, if I want to be Wichita, he was an engineer graduate from Southern very smart, very bright.

05:47 He got recruited by bone Wings. In the meantime. We had two kids, a boy and a girl and we moved to Wichita. We divorced a year later. But I realize that what you saw was a great place to raise kids, compared to New Orleans. I'm also live in Houston. And so I decide to stay the kids were young and just make the best of it. I've had so many opportunities here in Wichita. Like I said, I went back to school after 11 years of graduating and what you doing, and I wanted to go to a place that was smaller. That was more family-oriented. That was Paisley. The first Wichita was actually first place or Newman. The first place I went to where it was kind of whitewash. I'm so that was kind of my first experience. There was a little diversity and other places I have been but Neuman was pretty much whitewash mean.

06:47 The only black woman in the program or, you know, now, I mean it was the only bit one point, only black female as an adjunct, the only black female. I'm at the faculty member and but I've had great opportunities. It is a struggle. Yes, definitely a struggle being there. So I guess we can go to that later. I'm sorry cuz I don't want to take up too much of us. Doctor, when's time.

07:18 But thank you. Dr. Johnson. I'm really impressed. Even struck with some details from your life story. So a little bit about me I was born certainly I I I was raised and born in in China and kind of evidence on my face. So I was born in the northeastern part of China. The southern tip of the building Providence and then I went to college for the only Province college graduation and because of that time and I was able to stay in the dorm on University and became an education for 11 years in higher education, unit for 11 years, and then I got to know a program a doctoral program in education in Pennsylvania.

08:18 You at, cuz I have some former colleague who graduated from there and she has a wonderful experience on that program. My previous degree to be a master degree about him language education. So then, I it's a little bit of shifter for me, but I, I chose the program of curriculum and instruction in Indiana University of Pennsylvania. So I got admitted to the scholarships without a scholarship. So of course, I wouldn't be able to afford it.

08:52 So, I went to America in 2010 and it started my pursuit of the doctor all in Western, Pennsylvania. So, I finished my degree in 5 years. I defended it because I ain't got a job offer from Newman University. So, my family. That's how. I'm I mean, we moved to Wichita and actually about my personal life. My family life is that too. When we landed in America, actually, just a few months later. We found my wife was pregnant. So that was a very nice surprise. And I, we had our first child at one year later during our talk to a program study on it. So it made it even more intense. And then about two years later. We have our second one was not a surprise, but still very nice. Yeah, so really the program Study Life in America was. I was saying a very

09:52 Experienced a very sweet memory for me and my growing family. Yeah, because I just got a lot of support and understanding and compassion from my doctor professors. My fellow crew members that we supported each other insignificant matter. And so for the past six years, I've been working on Newman young Wichita Wichita is a quiet and peaceful Seaside a peaceful community to me. There's just not much time for City at all, among the employees Newman University.

10:37 I am assuming I can go and ask more questions. We have to answer this one. Here. We share why you wanted to do this interview today. Well, I mean, I wanted to do this interview today is because I think having his courageous conversations is so important, you know, for a long time. Even while at Newman. I mean, I'm a very humble, I guess, quiet person, and I'm more action-oriented. And I remember when I first started acting on the 13, don't think you were there yet cuz I think we went through our orientation kind of together on Doctor when, but I have started a John there in 13 and I was when I realized it was a lot of white washers if it was the only white institution in when I say for the only white it was for Donna, Lee White,

11:31 I thought, you know what? I'm going to bring some diversity and so I began trying to to, to do things to bring in more diversity. I'll start trying to recruit and I was knocked down or not back, 10 steps actually buy some of my colleagues. And so when that first episode happen, I realized okay. Well, maybe I need to come at this another way. And so I began just having conversations trying to have conversations with people is really hard for me to fit in because I wasn't a job never really passive 10 faculty academic assembly meetings, and I realized that my department. I'm basically it was all they cared about was me just teaching those courses that they didn't want to teach men. So that's what I did. And I began connecting with the students and I thought, well, here's a way for me to begin knocking down these doors to open up its connect with students of color.

12:31 That's what I initially tried to do.

12:34 And after years of doing that, I became visiting professor. And I guess I just I know how important talking about our differences is, and I thought that this would be a great opportunity because I'm ready to talk and I'm ready to just share my political views, and understand others. I mean, it's just a part of my profession. I'm a social work, you know, of a social justice of compassion and just be willing to accept others. So that's why I really wanted to just do this interview because I wanted to get you and I honored actually to sit here and talk to you so I can cuz I know that we've never really have the time at school to do anything like this. So, I'm glad you're here today.

13:21 No, thank you. So it's at the pleasure is really like wise II and yeah, it's a great pleasure to to for us to talk about these topics in this capacity and of the reasons for me to join this interview, is that first I really think the storycorps one, small step is a great initiative to bridge The Divide, get a political or cultural in this country. I think I was aware pretty much of the struggles of the the challenging situation, as many people as fat free people of color and also immigrants in this country have faced since a long time ago and still the struggles are going on and it's specifically from Mike Engel. Our perspective. Is that regarding what happened at what has happened to ancient communities recently?

14:21 As the history, there are some stereotypes of biases or at least, there should be some more knowledge and understanding about ancient communities and also immigrants at large. So I want to have my experiences be heard for some expand. Hopefully to a good extant just to hopefully it could be a little bit of reflection of people like me who hasn't experienced any kind of experiences in this country and was our perspectives are about some especially sensory issues are controversial issues in a society.

15:07 What is your earliest memory is memory. What is your earliest memory of politics? I remember in high school. We, I was 16 and we had this mock voting and I remember everyone that weekend. I really didn't understand the different, the conservative vs. Liberal Democrat & Republic. That's what it was at that time. But I do remember that anybody that was black voted, you know, Democrat and anybody. That was white voted Republican, and not really understanding platforms. And I remember, Jesse Jackson and they took us to go see Jesse Jackson when he was running. If he came to the Superdome to give his, you know, it's kind of talked about his class warm, and I mean, that's just my earliest memory. And if it was some

16:07 Years after graduating a rapper. Actually, once I got the college that I realize that it's not just about black and white Democrat & Republic, it's more to it than that. I guess that's kind of, when I got in the social work. But then, once I got in social work, I realize there are some divides, and some differences in the way. People sinking in programs in Conway, policies are made, and really begin to understand and see how policies were made to 2. I mean, to make or print oppressed people of color, literally, especially when I began teaching it. So, those are my earliest memories of politics.

16:56 Thank you. Dr. Johnson. My earliest memory of Alex's. I'm afraid. I have to say. It could be traced back to China. So it would be either confined or just the limited to my exposure to politics, are from the TV channel. And also, what I learned about politics in textbooks. So I will say it is rather limited and I haven't developed a very deep or critical views of politics during my years as a student in schools.

17:42 Go ahead. Okay? When I was reading your bio on dr. When I guess I didn't realize that you were not told me before that. You were only you've been only if you've been if he had been here, eleven years for some reason. I thought it was it was worried 11 years and that's really, that's not a long time, you know, to, you know, being that you were born and raised in China, I guess what actually brought you what brought you to come to Newman with, you know?

18:18 Are you free? Like what are you looking for a jobs and and you kind of never was out there.

18:27 Yeah, so can I also a bit more than bad? I appreciate your question.

18:35 Oh, really? I planned my life at that? Or at least a decade ago. I didn't plan my life or for the long-term. As I said in a self-introduction. I was really interested in both doctor program of education. And I at that time, I didn't think I would just like to live in America permanent. Yeah. So like I said, I was drawn into the program. I like the people around me and then of course, I mean, then you just, I just went step-by-step, maybe one small step at a time. And then when I see moving closer to the completion of my dissertation, my wife and I said, oh maybe we should give a shot. Just trying to search for a job. You're getting your doctorate degree. You're supposed to teach me harder. She will just try and I tried really hard to years. Time. I submitted about one in four hand.

19:35 Job applications. Yeah, it was it was a very fruitful for the first year and for second-year Newman was the only one eventually who's is so serious. I'm giving me a job offer. So really is not much of a matter that of my free choice of where I want to work at. It's a really I got the olives Branch from Newman and for the other couple of choices and they didn't give me the offer, eventually. Yeah, but I'm glad I mean I like this city.

20:12 That's what is the other part of your question. I kind of got off track meet. I was always until to work. I was working in the hospital and I had got my MBA but you messed up you. And but I just, I felt like this, it wasn't enough. I just, you know, I guess got bored and I was actually on being a field instructor for a student at Wichita State University and the wind she called to ask me, was I going to get this again? I said no. I don't want. I just I'm depression and I don't want this, you know, to be around the student. I want to be a better role model and I just don't think I will be at this time in. And she asked me, why. And I told her and she said, what, why don't you have you thought about teaching in higher ed? And I said, no. Because I know that, you know, teachers don't make enough money and I am a single parent now.

21:12 I have two kids and she said, well, but you can always do. I'm healthy supplement that, you know, cuz I was doing home health also until she working. So she told me to come talk to the dean at Wichita, State in the social work department, and I did, and she was so impressed that I have this MBA that I never used, you know, and so they hired me because instructor left at the last minute. So I became an instructor which didn't pay anything, but just doing that, I realize, this is where I want to be. Now to teach other students, you know, how to be happy about the profession and took to form them into these compassionate, people who want to help others and the opportunity came when the doctor program at W shoe. So I took it and then everybody said, you know what, you're going to write your own ticket because you are a black female what you thought through it, you can go anywhere.

22:12 World. So after I graduated it took four years and I graduated and I start applying cuz I was ready to write my own ticket and it was brutal. I went on, I didn't submit as many applications but I started, I quite at the VA, you know, I applied at the college's. I went on three college for college visits and I know, you know about campus business. It was brutal and each time. Everybody was thinking, yeah, you know, you'll be a perfect fit and I would get that rejection letter and I just didn't understand, you know, because I thought I'm a like a person. But I want to go, when I think about it. It was probably, I don't know. I don't want to say, I just wasn't prepared. I guess I wasn't prepared and

23:12 I went back to just doing social work. I'm clinical social work. And then my, because I did a job before my former instructor said Newman. She called me cuz we have formed this great relationship in and said, I want you to come there visiting, you know, for a little while. And so I took that opportunity and and then that's all. I mean, I of course I've had many opportunities at the moment, but I just took that chance and I just said, well, I'm just going to make the best of what I can hear.

23:46 I talked to Johnson. I was also interesting in this part of your experience. For me personally, the job searching experiencing wasn't easy. So I also reflected quite a bit on that. So why? Why was it difficult for one? It was the economic situation right after 2008, economic downturn. And in that effect in higher ed, pretty much. And then I was also thinking, you know, I'm still not a green card holder, not a permanent resident. So to get a job in higher ed. I need at University, who would be willing to sponsor me for my Visa and a daddy and Pops attention. And also a little bit of money Teresa Port. So I don't know. Whether that will hinder, that had hindered, some employers are from doing that because Tommy most that they would mostly be with expect a person who doesn't have any concern of

24:46 How to employment eligibility. So that's one for the other. I'm not very sure. So about the Veo, Equal Opportunity Employment implementation. So if they would just include me in the first a pile or, or immediately because I needed sponsorship, and I'm Asian immigrant. They would put need to the other pile. And also being a b d, not finishing my defense. Maybe I'm not a factor. So that's mine. My my reflection. I still don't have a perfect answer to that.

25:26 So about you. So I mean no offense anyway, so let's maybe move to the more sensitive directions. So people who have completed doctorate degree in the United States really, take a small portion of the entire population. I would be bold to say that. It's even a much smaller portion to pull up,. So, what is your experience like in? I mean, being an African American female, you you work so hard for your doctorate degree. And so. So what are people are reacting to that experience? And I also now when you're in a community, so when people know that, wow, you're okay she or even here you are. So what responses do you have or What feelings? Do you experience sometimes about that?

26:25 So so, you know, sometimes I feel like the people who did there, they're just amazed that I was but I'm a black woman and capable of having an Edd and and and working in higher ed that. And because of that that I should, you know, I'm just I guess the nominee and I'm not you know that I'm in for that. I got the job. I'm here because of my color, you know, of could because of diversity and I I mean I I get that

27:04 Feeling pretty much. I guess the whole time. I was at Newman at first I didn't but then I began to look at that. I I mean you you have me here, but you don't want to give me any opportunities to succeed. I feel like I just never really had a voice. You just wanted a body here, a person of color and I thought well maybe if I tried going to maybe where there's more people of color, you know, in higher ed. And I mean I've been out, I tried different jobs or apply for different jobs in. That wasn't the case either. That's why I was like, what? Maybe it's my experience or need my age also because I'm I feel a little older. And when I was applying for jobs, these were young people in higher ed, you know, in their thirties. And here I am in my

28:02 Are the time was like for these, you know, 50s, apply for these jobs. I do feel like that if I my voice, if I say too much, you know, people will take it the wrong way. If I have a certain expression on my face, people will take it the wrong way. And so sometimes I feel like I'm in this box, you know, I want to Advocate and do more but yet not tip boat over not get too much attention because too much attention been causes people to be afraid. I don't know if that answers your question, but and I still feel that way. I will say this though, you know from being at Newman. My confidence has really in the beginning. It was it was not there. It's just a little had low self-esteem, but now my confidence is

29:02 Really way up there. And so I'm not afraid, you know, to speak about afraid to the say anything. I, I mean, I'm still very humble, you know, but I just feel so blessed and I, I mean, I'm in whether you and I don't really care whether you like me or not, you know, if you think I'm going to be whatever, stereotypes is black, women, and men in the, I mean, I get that as soon as they see a black woman, you know, a lot of people all Matt automatically see me as being angry, or mean, or I'm going to just always call the race card and that is right. That's a really work hard at not doing that. So, I don't know if that if that answers that, what about you absolutely are? You did answer my question. Well,

29:58 Yeah, I career relate to many things, you said. And speaking of getting attention to ourselves. I also have some even a little bit strong feelings about that. Usually, I'm reluctant to have much attention on me. Yeah, I just kind of similar mindset as you and if I am. I talk too much. I became worried that people may have some special thoughts about me. And also, I'm concerned. Am I still my language proficiency? If I talk for two more, you don't never argue more mistakes in my language because English is still my second language. Do Chinese is the first one.

30:45 And the walking out, say, if I brought an end to the wider community, in a different state in the whole country. I've been living five years in Pennsylvania. So now I'm six years in Wichita and over specifically attention and may happen in positive ways. Sometimes being really negative ways. So, people noticed me my identity as an ancient and I want to say in some people's eyes. I'm still not welcome. I'm an outsider. So that's my constant struggle. But back to our workplace. I think I'm feeling better about that. If I may I I want to share a little bit of experience when I was a student of October student in Pennsylvania.

31:37 So there are two or three times while I was walking at that time. I I didn't have a car yet. So I was walking along the street and I got shouted that actually cursed at. And so they use the the curse word for me and it's saying, so, get back to China, the curse word, understand why, of course, that's a bad feeling angry, and then they just drove away. And I know I could do it at that moment. Yeah.

32:16 Why? I think it's actually those guys, those people, they were young on. The Orion College in college is a university town that has more than 15,000 students. So there could be very different people that grew their on. Mostly. I had a very good experiences with my iPhone.

32:42 And so, one of my cohort members of another Chinese lady, not my wife, and she's hiding lady, and she actually, she got more of that experiences while we're walking alone by the streets. She got shouted at you, dated people in passing cars.

33:04 But here, you know you knew which is all the end over that happened. Less so far only twice and one time but make me angry is that I was biking with my two kids.

33:18 Actually in Andover and all that surprised me. I mean end over actually isn't is really A very wise Community. I know that.

33:28 And then so I got shouted at mocking tone, allow the way by several people, from a passing car. And I realized they probably they were that because he was close to a middle school. I would say that's it. That's a good middle school. Middle school the shouting at me. I mean, come on out. I was at that. I was at fathering my two kids. We were fighting please how they felt. They were too young to to process too much about that and they just ignored it. I I probably saw it landed a little bit and I said they name you are or rude, but I inside my heart I was very angry.

34:23 I mean, even if this is a recording, my true feeling at the moment instead, if I had a rock in my hand, I will throw it at them. So walking at night, especially walking. I was sitting in a car. No problem.

34:41 And I became very careful, especially considering what happened with you and over in Wichita. I try to protect myself while I wore hats. Sometimes I wear masks even just a walk outside.

34:55 I'm afraid, I don't want to experience those incidents again, even though I wasn't physically hurt.

35:03 But yeah, those are those are upsetting experiences. So I walked with a little

35:15 In case I encountered a similar experience.

35:20 I want doctor when I I really appreciate you sharing that and I'm so sorry that you had to experience that. You know, that's something. I guess that I never really thought about that, you know, that you would experience. You know, I guess I've always looked at, if anybody with experience anything, it will be a black person. You know, I mean, I've experienced being called the n-word with client nothing at school, but with client, a couple of times and for me, I easily adapt it in this of that mold. And and when I see two times, it happened with the client that just made me want to connect with them or you know, it challenge me.

36:07 And instead of me going back to the office to say, which I did have to report it, but I didn't know if you know who let's find another social worker replace. You know, I want to go back, you know, and actually want to working well with them, but I I I I do understand and I can relate to that. You know, I will tell you this talk to you when I mean you and I don't think I've ever told you this but I mean you are actually one of the ones who really I looked at and saw how you I guess, I don't know.

36:42 Infiltrated your way into Newman and to how active you are. And you know, how boys were you are. And that just kind of inspired me, you know, because I admire, you know, the work that you do and and, you know, you are in every thing at Newman every possible initiative in the end of the United spot me that, so that gives me hope, you know, in which I wasn't and actually, I enjoy being on committees with you because I know that if it's not the end, it's going to be said that, you're going to say it. And I love the way because when you do say things, you come at a very, very compassionate way, you know, help me understand and in people take that. Well, I'm so, but yeah, I am.

37:39 I I know what it feels like for me. Sometimes when I'm we were on academic assembly, you know, and you looking at all these faces and just scrolling through and nobody looks like you, you know, and then I wonder even when people say congratulations or forsake, you know, good job. I'm just saying, I owe. Are they saying that? Because they feel like they have to because I'm a person of color or do they really mean it and really know the work that I've done. So

38:14 I appreciate your your recognition. For what I what I have done. I haven't done much at all. You're giving me a lot more credits than what I deserve. What I do. I, I do share your mindset, that I also appreciate your courage, Your Persistence of coming back to the workplace or the environment that you had some negative comments or responds to you. I appreciate that courage. And I think your intention to do that is to counteract against those stereotypes and you want to get people better educated better. Informed about people like us, people of color people of people with the differences from the so-called mainstream community.

39:08 Yeah, back to my those little incidents from my experience of life so far. I thought I I don't blame too much. I don't like what they did. But I don't think those people really evil. They just need to know better about us. They don't know what I'm contributing, what I wouldn't. My knees are probably at the moment. I really believe that was young students. They didn't seem too much. They just probably because they were together. They just want to have some fun.

39:41 So what anyhow, I think there is obviously a need for us to have our voices, heard by every corner of the society and a half just arouse. Their plan is to our bosses to our existence, that we are all common social beings. We have the same feelings and we have families. And we really want to do good things for this Society of all of us. And that's why. I also I try hard enough only in a community but more. So, you know, you know, our own University. I hope that I can do positive things, hopefully good things, and and so that, they maintain such an image that people like me or you can maybe we can have a more people like him in the future.

40:33 Do you feel like you have to represent your entire race or are you? Are you? You know, you still like, I'm representing me. I'm representing my family.

40:49 Well, I'm kind of both maybe more. So about people, I try to adjust probably I wouldn't be much wider representation of people's might have my own my ethnicity. But yeah, I just like I said, I want to increase knowledge about the ancient for example, engine immigrants. And the we can have a good idea to feel brains brainstorming. We also want to contribute to our community, which is kind of a special oriented university cuz we are Catholic in the liberal arts college. Certainly has two differences demographic, differences from public, universities from bad. So I just, yeah.

41:49 Want to plant some seeds for for the cultural background moreover,. A welcoming background for people of color to this community.

41:59 How do you prepare or what do you do to prepare, you preparing your children for this. This world is society.

42:10 Well, that's, that's a very difficult question for me. Cuz I don't think me or my wife has been doing a very good job in in developing our, or how to say.

42:24 Consolidating our own cultural Legacy among them. They are being educated in the US. You didn't totally American way. Yeah, and so English is their primary language. No Chinese. All those Chinese supposed to be their home language, but they speak in which all the time at home. Although we speak Chinese to them all the time. We propose, we do. So, yeah, we still responding Chinese. So it's a it's a constant struggle so far. We try to educate them a little bit of Chinese culture, Chinese language. I want to listen to lessons in a week, but still, it's, it's playing a much diminished effect on them, but we will continue the effort. But thank you for that question.

43:17 The army. So I can meet up with fears our hopes. Do you have about the future?

43:26 I, I guess I have hopes.

43:32 But the future that, you know, will one day see each other as equal and we'll or each other as being able to contribute to society in our own unique ways. And and not, you know, not look down because I don't understand, or I don't like, but they just be more open to each other. And, you know, this is the police in justices with black males. I I just hope that people can see that that that these are in justices that hat cannot be tolerated and something has to be done. I mean, because it's happening more and more and it's such it. Just when I think about our children, I think about young black males, I think about people of color too, to just see this

44:32 Social media to see this in there. Just stay away and feeling hopeless. I, I just, I don't want that and I think eventually these and justices people will be educated and understand. I don't know how, I don't know what it will take, but I just need to believe in my heart. That things will change and I could be a little naive.

45:02 About that question with fears and hopes. Do I have about the future along the question or topic of a cultural differences of political divide? Is that my fear is that my hopes and fears actually are tied up together.

45:19 My Hope big is the Hope is that American society cuz I plan to live here permanently a long-term at least to become even more inclusive and welcoming to people with differences, cultural differences, of course, they look ancient. Although they are in American culture absorbing American culture. My biggest fear is that the conflicts between cultures and actually internationally. If there is a severe conflict between China and US War breaks out between the two country, what will happen to ancient immigrants Chinese immigrants in America. I, I couldn't imagine that I don't want history like between Japan and the US to be repeated right off the break out of the second World War. I what were ya? So that's my biggest fear.

46:16 And another for your personally is that I'm scared about the loss of loved ones, or still living in China. Cuz because of the geographical difference in time, life is difficult for us to be with them. If they are undergoing those very difficult time.

46:48 Well, I have, I mean, I've I have truly enjoyed this time. It seemed they went by pretty fast the 15 minutes. I mean, I I I would love to, you know, perhaps one day we can eat lunch together and continue our conversation or not as busy. I don't know if you work over the summer.

47:12 Yeah, I I well maybe just a little bit so summer. I'm looking forward to Summer where we have, hopefully more of these are time. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. It's been a busy year for this. I'm sorry, you done. So I appreciate this opportunity and I'm so glad that I got to change our feelings. Already experiences. Dr. Johnson, you know, life in general. Really? I think she still tell me pretty much is a positive experience in the US, but I also want to say that I would be very limited in representing the ancient Community. Cuz imma, imma ancient. But I'm also, I'm a male. I'm probably on account for you. Fix the pains, the struggles, maybe sometime.

48:12 You know, Optical experiences are difference is that were felled by by the females female immigrants. But anyhow, I just hope that through such initiatives by organizations or agencies like the storycorps. And also by individuals like us really Embrace such opportunities. I have our voices, her, hopefully spread it out to the community. We can increase people's awareness of differences and be well coming to differences because it read your Rich our society.

48:54 Absolutely, I agree.

48:58 Thank you.