Gung Hei Fat Choy. [Cover title].

Oakland, California: Oakland Unified School District, [1971]. 11” x 8½”. Stapled card wrappers. Pp. Iii, 67.Very good: light cover wear with a couple of small stains.

This is an educational guide on Chinese New Year intended for students of the Oakland Unified School District. Its purpose is made clear in the introduction:

“The Chinese New Year's Festival is an event which offers much entertainment and merrymaking for many Americans. The cultural, economic, religious and social aspects of this occurrence have been glamorized by literature and deliberately thwarted and forgotten by some Chinese Americans today because of their concern to assimilate into the dominant culture. As a result, many young Chinese Americans are now questioning the behavior patterns of their elders. They are asking: 'Why is it necessary to adhere to the typical Oriental stereotype and its related traditions? Of what benefit is it to be quiet, passive, docile, submissive, and self-effacing? Why can't I be me? After all, I am an American!'

It is often a difficult task to answer these young people. The image Americans have formed about the inscrutable 'Oriental' has been reinforced by the Chinese Americans themselves in this country for the sake of protection.

It is the purpose of this paper to recall some of the past traditions and customs of the Chinese New Year and explain their meanings as they have reflected an ethnic group's approach to living.”

Following the introduction is a brief history of the Chinese in California. That's followed by much information regarding Chinese New Year, along with discussion questions and class activities.

OCLC locates three copies. Very good. Item #8182

Price: $250.00