I was the intern who conducted research for JMNHS about the history of John Muir's relationship with the Chinese laborers on his ranch. So glad people are now learning a more nuanced history of Chinese migrants in Martinez. Happy to chat more about this if you're interested! I still have the original research document and tons of photos from the research...
Ah Heng here! :) I believe ah- is also used in the Fujian area, I am a mixed of both Cantonese and Hokkien, and my hometown is full of both these clans. We are all called ah-something (if we aren't called by our English names, remnants of our British colonial past. I'm from Malaysia).
But yes, I also feel for Ah-Fong. I hope he had a serene and happy life after retiring from serving Muir!
Hmm, "Rick" knew how to raise the mood... Sounds like John Muir could certainly have known and appreciated an Asian character in his cooking. 17 years, that's a long time.
Beautiful piece. I need more on this! I’d be curious to hear more about his story from an environmental justice lens … thinking about the Chinese Americans who were part of the formation of the environmental justice movement and how it intersects with John Muir’s conservationism
Thank you for your kind words. I did not know much about the Chinese Americans who were part of the environmental justice movement, but I will research more. Any pointers or resources for me to get started on?
I was the intern who conducted research for JMNHS about the history of John Muir's relationship with the Chinese laborers on his ranch. So glad people are now learning a more nuanced history of Chinese migrants in Martinez. Happy to chat more about this if you're interested! I still have the original research document and tons of photos from the research...
Wow thanks for sharing your insights! Yes, I am definitely interested n learning more about what you learned during your time there!
Ah Heng here! :) I believe ah- is also used in the Fujian area, I am a mixed of both Cantonese and Hokkien, and my hometown is full of both these clans. We are all called ah-something (if we aren't called by our English names, remnants of our British colonial past. I'm from Malaysia).
But yes, I also feel for Ah-Fong. I hope he had a serene and happy life after retiring from serving Muir!
This reminds me of Julie Otsuka’s Buddha in the Attic where the stories of the first Japanese immigrants were told.
Thanks for sharing this story! I am sure Ah Fong would have appreciated your thoughts!
Yi - thank you for reading, I have not heard of the book before and will put it on my list to check out!
Hmm, "Rick" knew how to raise the mood... Sounds like John Muir could certainly have known and appreciated an Asian character in his cooking. 17 years, that's a long time.
Such a nice account of something I never knew about. Thank you!
Thank you, Kyle, for your kind words. I did not know about this until I visited the museum, so I feel obligated to write about it.
Beautiful piece. I need more on this! I’d be curious to hear more about his story from an environmental justice lens … thinking about the Chinese Americans who were part of the formation of the environmental justice movement and how it intersects with John Muir’s conservationism
Thank you for your kind words. I did not know much about the Chinese Americans who were part of the environmental justice movement, but I will research more. Any pointers or resources for me to get started on?
Look up The First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit!
Such a beautiful piece. Thank you.
Thank you, Carmen, for your kind words :)
Fascinating and saddening. My first innocent thought was ‘ah, so John Muir liked Chinese Food’.
Indeed. That was exactly my first thought as well...then I got hit by reality..
We need writers like you and Yi Xue to write more Chinese American/immigrant stories.
Thank you, Janice, for your kind words!
Thank you for reading, Jennifer!