Chinese community want respect, fair treatment from Trinidadians

Stereotypes about Chinese people and people of Chinese ancestry are prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago society today and contribute to people having the wrong impression about them.

First vice-president of the Toy Shan Association, Robert Chin Ching is riled by the stereotypes which prevail and the negative light in which the Chinese community is portrayed in TT.

The murder of Chinese couple Yang Jiang Hua and his wife Wu Xiu on July 12 has galvanised this group, members who generally remain out of the spotlight, to speak out via their respective associations.

Chin Ching said some people questioned why the Chinese were so upset by two of their own being murdered when many other persons in society have fallen victim to crime.

“We care, we are very concerned.We are fighting mad,” Chin Ching said in an interview last Thursday in Woodbrook.

“Crime is a dreadful situation. We are concerned not only for ourselves as a community but the nation as a whole. This crime situation is a disease, the cure might be long and hard but there is a cure.”

Chin Ching also spoke about suspicions cast on the Chinese, that people in Parliament talk about Chinese people coming to TT with no money and suddenly opening businesses.

“They don’t know our culture, our mentality.We help one another. When nonsense like that is printed in the newspapers we have to sit down and swallow it, and have the rest of the national community laughing at us. This is wrong,” he said.

He said the Chinese help each other in starting up businesses. This assistance can take the form of financial support with a loan or assistance with goods.

Chin Ching questioned how people could say the Chinese community did not spend when they open businesses, buy goods, and so support the economy.

“If we close down all the Chinese restaurants, plenty locals will starve. You think people could eat Royal Castle and KFC every day? How many people could afford to go Texas de Brazil and Ruby Tuesday and TGIF? You will eat bar-b-que for the rest of your life? You think we just here to make money, we don’t put out a service to the national community?” he asked.

Chin Ching said the Chinese worked hard and made sacrifices to improve the lives of their families. According to him, many a Chinese person can survive with an “old pants” and “rubber slippers” until they could afford better. The Chinese save their money and do not squander it on the newest jeans or sneakers, he said, adding they also work hard to send money back to China to make a new life for their families.

“And they bring them here in the so-called free world, to open a business, an  opportunity they do not have in China,” he said.

Chin Ching said family was the main  reason many Chinese nationals have decided to make TT their home. The Chinese concept of family encompasses not only immediate relations, but as Chin Ching explained, “our pumpkin vine stretch and wrap around Port-of-Spain from one person. In the Chinese community you have nothing like a pumpkin vine.”

He said the Chinese helped each other to prosper and did not feel jealous when one of their people had success because this was a benefit to all. Just as in any other community, there are the bad people but they do not dominate the group, he said.

“We ask for no recognition, nothing back. That is the problem, others fight and protest, we are laid-back people. We learn to roll with whatever situation comes around us. We don’t fight anybody, but the perception all over TT that Chinese people don’t spend a dollar, and they bad and this and that,” he said.

Chin Ching said the Chinese have settled well in communities and live as  good neighbours. If they appear detached, it is because of the language barrier, he said.  He said he has observed a lack of respect for the Chinese that is evident in interactions, that  people feel they could tell a Chinese person anything, no matter how offensive.  He recalled on June 8 walking on Maraval Road toward the St Patrick’s RC church where the funeral service for his father was being held and having some children calling out to him, “Chinee Chinee never die.”

Chin Ching said the Chinese, along with other races, have contributed to nation building.  “Don’t judge us unfairly,” he said.

the holierr than thou trinis discriminating against chinee.