July 14, 2010 | By Yvonne Lim Wilson
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Local Austin historian Mel Brown partnered with San Antonio community activist May Lam to publish the book TexAsia, released in 2009.
TexAsia began as Lam’s concept to have prominent San Antonians contribute chapters and segments of the book. Brown edited the text and pulled in historical context. The project took three years.
“It’s a look at the modern Asian communities in San Antonio. The strength of it is that it’s told by members of those ethnic communities,” Brown said. “If you don’t know anything about Asians in San Antonio, you’ll learn something.”
San Antonio is the home to 23,538 Asians, about two percent of the population, according to 2000 U.S. Census data.
“San Antonio is a very special place,” Brown said. “It’s been such an ethnically mixed city; it’s very tolerant. The Asian community seems to be doing very well and found a good place to live.”
Brown’s favorite story in the book is about Dr. Li Jia on her difficulty settling into a new country, away from her family and without a place to live.
“As a scholar new to this land of freedom and democracy, I have found another home for my family,” Jia wrote. “Our life was made easier by pioneers who had paved the way for later comers like us.”
Austinities may be interested to learn about San Antonio’s annual Asian Festival during the Lunar New Year, which was started by May Lam. In its first year, hundreds of people showed up (far exceeding expectations), setting the pace for the festival for years to come.
“It’s hugely successful with 6,000 to 7,000 people walking through the gate on one day,” Brown said. “The event has become a focal point for the city.”
Brown, a fourth generation San Antonian and self described “history nut,” has had a long history with the Chinese community in San Antonio through his wife Lorraine, who is a Chinese American. Brown’s previous book “Chinese Heart of Texas” tells a history of the Chinese in San Antonio.
“I didn’t write it because of my wife, but then the more I got into it, I realized it was her story. Her grandfather was part of [building the railroad], so it’s family history,” Brown said. “I’m really proud of that book.”
Brown is also the author of “San Antonio: Past, Present and Always,” “San Antonio in Vintage Postcards,” and “Wings Over San Antonio.”
May Lam is the publisher of TexAsia, business owner, artist and 2008 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in San Antonio.
Copies are available for $20. For more information about TexAsia or Mel Brown’s other books, visit http://www.home.earthlink.net/~melbjr/chineseheartoftexas/index.html.
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