Open Letter to Our Community – English

Submitted by webadmin on Thu, 09/08/2011 - 12:53

 

IT’S ABOUT HOUSING AND JOBS, NOT RACIAL INNUENDO
Open Letter to the Community

Dear Friends:

Our votes can make history on Election Day, November 8.

For the first time in 161 years, San Francisco has an Asian American Mayor, Public Defender, Assessor-Recorder, State Senator, State Assembly member, BART Director and four members of the Board of Supervisors, including the Board President.  In a city where Asian Americans make up one-third of the population, five well respected leaders from our community are now running for Mayor. 

For 34 years, the Chinese Real Estate Association of America (CREAA) has strived to make our American Dream of homeownership come true for San Francisco residents.  While CREAA is non-partisan and does not endorse candidates, we know that our central mission is to ensure that the voices of aspiring and current homeowners and the Asian American real estate community are heard on important political issues of the day.

When ugly and shameful racial stereotypes and xenophobic campaign remarks by political figures are allowed to go unchallenged, Asian Americans and the real estate community must denounce such statements.  Our leaders are not “dorky Chinese” or agents of a foreign government.  Such comments only incite racism against our community.   Instead, our local political parties should embrace diversity in not just people but in ideas – especially when it comes to our American Dream.

We are disappointed that the San Francisco Democratic Party central committee did not endorse one worthy candidate among five well qualified Asian Americans running for Mayor.  CREAA acknowledges that the endorsements maybe more about gamesmanship and personal power than racism.  However, with time remaining before the November 8 election, the SF Democratic Party can uphold its highest ideals by considering more diverse endorsements for Mayor. 

Since 1977, CREAA has been dedicated to serving Asian American homeowners in San Francisco. This election is about the economy and jobs – helping families find an affordable home, assisting struggling households cope with financing a home and spurring more home construction that will employ our contractors and construction workers who will dine in our restaurants and shop in our stores.

This election is not about racially coded phrases that divide us.

It’s about the economy - jobs, business and our homes for our families.

Amy Kong, 2011 President
Albert Tam, 2012 President
John Lee, 2008 President; 2010 President, SF Association of Realtors*
Jeff Woo, 2006 President; 2012 President, SF Association of Realtors*
John Yen Wong, 1995 & 1996 President; 2005 President, SF Association of Realtors*
Allen Okamoto, Honorary Director; 1980 President, SF Association of Realtors*

Chinese Real Estate Association of America
Dedicated to the American Dream Since 1977
www.CREAAUSA.org