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James Y. Shih

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Podcast Episodes

Featured
Yin & Young Podcast EP 75: Eight Years in Review
May 27, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 75: Eight Years in Review
May 27, 2025
May 27, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 74: Gabriel Toya-Meléndez - Filmmaking, Identity, and Finding Your Tribe
Feb 11, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 74: Gabriel Toya-Meléndez - Filmmaking, Identity, and Finding Your Tribe
Feb 11, 2025
Feb 11, 2025
Yin & Young Podcast EP 73: Paul Hoi #2 - Japan Stories, Skiing, Solo Traveling
Nov 24, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 73: Paul Hoi #2 - Japan Stories, Skiing, Solo Traveling
Nov 24, 2024
Nov 24, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 72 : William Gee Wong - Author of "Sons of Chinatown"
Jun 28, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 72 : William Gee Wong - Author of "Sons of Chinatown"
Jun 28, 2024
Jun 28, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 71  Aileen Cho - Intergenerational Trauma, Marriage, and Healing
Apr 18, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 71 Aileen Cho - Intergenerational Trauma, Marriage, and Healing
Apr 18, 2024
Apr 18, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 70 - Writer Peter Kageyama returns with MIDNIGHT CLIMAX
Feb 21, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 70 - Writer Peter Kageyama returns with MIDNIGHT CLIMAX
Feb 21, 2024
Feb 21, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 69 Daniel Tong - Editor: Finding your place in film and pursuing your passion
Feb 9, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 69 Daniel Tong - Editor: Finding your place in film and pursuing your passion
Feb 9, 2024
Feb 9, 2024
Yin & Young Podcast EP 68 - Married Life, Cooking, Regret and Time
Aug 28, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast EP 68 - Married Life, Cooking, Regret and Time
Aug 28, 2023
Aug 28, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast Episode 67 - Kelly Hebestreit - Art, Identity, and Please Take Off Your Shoes
Apr 29, 2023
Yin & Young Podcast Episode 67 - Kelly Hebestreit - Art, Identity, and Please Take Off Your Shoes
Apr 29, 2023
Apr 29, 2023
Yin & Young Episode 66 - Peter Kageyama - Writer
Feb 2, 2023
Yin & Young Episode 66 - Peter Kageyama - Writer
Feb 2, 2023
Feb 2, 2023

Podcast disclaimer

Yin & Young Podcast EP 72 : William Gee Wong - Author of "Sons of Chinatown"

June 28, 2024 in Asian American, Writing

William Gee Wong (Bill) is a prominent figure in the realm of Chinese-American journalism and literature, recognized for his insightful contributions to the understanding of Asian American experiences. Born and raised in Oakland Chinatown in California, Bill's work often reflects his deep connection to his heritage and the diverse cultural landscape of his upbringing. Bill's narratives provide a vital perspective on the Asian American community's struggles and triumphs. Bill’s most recent endeavor is a memoir chronicling his own family’s immigration story as well as his life and career. Bill shares deep, personal insight into the Chinese American immigration experience during the early 20th century, the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act, and it’s impact on American society.

Bill’s website: https://www.williamgeewong.com/

Highlights:

  • 00:00 Introduction to William Gee Wong (Bill) and his recent memoir, “Sons of Chinatown.”

  • 03:40 Bill’s father, mother, and sisters’ migration story.

  • 11:02 Angel Island and the paper sons, paper marriage scheme.

  • 16:23 Bill’s father’s “altercation” with his paper brother over losing money in the lottery business.

  • 22:20 Bill’s father and mother really wanted a son. Some favoritism for sons.

  • 25:47 We share our connections to the Bay Area. Bill’s “Chinatown bubble.”

  • 33:05 Cultural separation from Hoishan-wa and his father. A connection to the Chinatown mindset.

  • 36:40 Chinatown Tongs

  • 45:50 Los Angeles Tong/Benevolent Association.

  • 49:00 Bill’s identity search as he moved from Chinatown to bigger, whiter America and navigating these spaces in the journalism world.

  • 01:00:57 Returns to writing and starts a weekly column highlighting Asian American issues at the Oakland Tribune.

  • 01:05:12 What does it mean to be Asian American? Bill highlights the many different groups and histories this label encompasses.

  • 01:16:50 James shares stories about being asked about his identity.

  • 01:20:25 Dan shares his thoughts on the “Asian American” label and Hollywood casting.

  • 01:22:30 Bill’s conversation with his son when they visited Bill’s father’s ancestral home (spoiler alert for those who plan to read the book).

  • 01:30:40 Angel Island is depicted in Berkeley Rep’s: Far Country.

01:33:00 What do you to stay balanced?

  • Walk around the neighborhood.

  • Weightlifting.

01:36:00 Language corner:

  • Taiwanese Hokkien (Reference: Mandarin and Taiwanese dictionary: iTaigi)

    • 免客氣 mián kheeh-khì  - You’re welcome. (lit. Don’t be so polite).

    • 緣投 iân-tâu - handsome, good looks.

    • 無共款 bô-kāng-khuán - not the same, different

  • Hoishan-wa/Taishanese

    • 哎呀/哎吔 aiya - oh my god!

  • Japanese

    • おもろい omoroi - interesting [in the Kansai dialect].

———

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Like/comment to helps others find our work! Yin & Young is produced by James Y. Shih and Daniel Yin. Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/yinyoungpodcast 

Email: yinyoungpodcast@gmail.com

Tags: yin young podcast, podcasts, language, memoir, journalism, Asian American, chinatown, immigrant, chinese
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