Talk does not cook the rice.
Welcome!
This is one of my all-time favorite Chinese proverbs. It succinctly captures my bias toward action. It also demonstrates the unique humor embodied in Chinatown’s people. (If you’re Chinese you can easily imagine Mother or Auntie saying this with a slightly cocked head or raised brow. #aiyaa)
So, what rice is it, you may ask, that needs cooking? Why does it matter to Boston, to you, and to everyone?
Acknowledging Our Losses
As we pick our heads up from this pandemic tar pit that sucked our people from us, damaged our livelihoods, and dampened our joy in communing with others, we gingerly step forward into a world that looks different from the one we recall. Buildings are empty, some restaurants are gone, and too many people are gone. I share your grief.
As battered as many of us are, allow me to share what is giving me hope. And I do have hope.
Resilience and Resourcefulness
When I lead my Tours, I share the challenges Chinese immigrants have faced in the past, as well as the new challenges unique to this neighborhood even before the pandemic hit. I also share the admirable resilience of the Chinese immigrants and their resourcefulness which seems to me, boundless. Most any Chinese person you see walking around Chinatown, or coming in for weekend dim sum, or a holiday festival could tell you stories rather matter-of-factly that would stop you in your tracks. Daring escapes from Communist China, hard, dangerous jobs when it was one’s duty to save enough money to rescue others. Long hours of treacherous or tedious work just to make ends meet were, and are, too common.
And they survived. Many have thrived. Many have saved others, put kids through college on restaurant or seamstress wages.
This time the challenge is not just systemic injustices, it’s not just rising rents, the endless news of attacks on Asians. It’s all these things. It’s graffiti the city can’t keep up with. The fear that gnaws at people who may be losing their business, or unable to cobble together a meal from what’s left in their fridge.
As I wondered what could be done, and how I could help, I heard one more story that broke me. Then I remembered:
Talk does not cook the rice.
It was time to act. I began by identifying three things that seemed most urgent.
Food insecure seniors and families. Restaurants that needed help to survive. Murals that bridge language and culture and knit a community together were being destroyed or falling into disrepair.
Next, I began talking to people. People who were also doers. People who were willing to roll up their sleeves, and find the gaps we could fill, the programs we could support, the people we should be talking to. I hired experienced counsel with connections to the community to ensure we became 501 (c) (3) certified and got our paperwork in order.
I’m so proud of my board today, and we’re building on its strength so stay tuned to this space for announcements. Happily, we’re finding eager partners, collaborators, and friends working with us to identify our opportunities and hone our strategies.
We look forward to announcing our pilot project soon. Thank you to all who have already donated, your support at this early stage is a vote of confidence and we appreciate it!
Help Us Get Cooking
How can you help today? Glad you asked:
1) Donate: We’ve secured a generous matching donor to get the ball rolling. All donations up to $6,000 will be matched!
2) Sign up to ensure you don’t miss announcements, new posts, and opportunities to volunteer.
3) Let us know if you know someone or are someone who has the expertise we’re seeking in two key areas: Board Treasurer or Grant Writer. Both are part-time commitments at this point.
4) Tell a friend about us! Are you part of an AAPI group at school? An Employee Resource Group at work? Are you a fan already? Share, share, share.
We are so excited to be embarking on this and look forward to seeing you across a table sometime soon.
May this year of the rabbit bring you all good health, prosperity, and full bellies! Gung Hei Fat Choy! 🧧
Jacqueline Church, Founder
Me holding the Edible Boston edition that includes my article Preserving Chinatown.
