1990s: The Golden Decade : POLITICS : Group Promotes American Tradition of Involvement

Nearly 90% of its members speak Chinese, but leaders of the Chinese American Assn. of Southern California make it a point to conduct meetings in English.

“We are Americans of Chinese descent,” said spokeswoman Yvonne Liu, a first-generation American. “We are proud to be Americans.”

Founded in 1983, the Palos Verdes Estates-based group is united in the belief that success in the United States means more than economic and educational advancement; it also means community involvement and political activism.

“Our kids are just like Americans, only their face is different,” said Elizabeth Szu, a group founder and immigrant from Taiwan. “We have to teach them if you want to stay in this country, you have to merge with the mainstream.”

A struggling student when she moved to this country 20 years ago, Szu realizes new immigrants are often preoccupied with making a living and adjusting to a new culture. But once they settle down and become financially secure, she said, it is crucial to be active in their communities and the political process.

“We have to pay our dues,” Szu said. “If sometimes (Anglos) treat you like second-class citizens, it’s because you’re not active in this community.”

The association, which has about 400 members from Mission Viejo to Thousand Oaks, devotes most of its energy and resources to political activities, such as nonpartisan fund-raising for candidates sympathetic to Chinese-American concerns and lobbying against anti-Asian violence and prejudice.

For example, as chairman of the group’s political awareness committee in 1988, Szu’s husband Charles succeeded in getting the California Republican Party to support a resolution opposing apparent university quotas restricting the admission of Asian-American students.

When the movies “Year of the Dragon” and “Sixteen Candles” featured disparaging portrayals of Asian-Americans and perpetuated negative stereotypes, the association bombarded studio executives with letters and telephone calls to voice their anger.