Old Isn't Historic

 

Thomas Foon Chew was at one time the wealthiest Chinese American in California and, undoubtedly, one of the wealthiest Chinese immigrants in the nation. Despite laws barring Asians from owning property in California, in 1918 Foon (he preferred that name)  obtained four acres of land in Palo Alto, California and created Bayside Canning Company. 

Foon's success resulted from not only business savvy but common sense because what is now Silicon Valley was once known as "The Valley of the Heart's Delight," a lush spread of agricultural land producing a panoply of fruits and vegetables. 

At his death in 1932 Foon's funeral parade ran along Grant Street in San Francisco, the heart of the largest Chinese community in the West and was watched by 25,000 people. He was important to many people in many ways. 

The current owner of the Palo Alto property wants to tear down the empty Foon building and construct houses. And that has created a bigger controversy than a Chinese man actually owning real estate ever did.

One camp argues tearing down the old building -- which hasn't housed the cannery in 82 years -- would desecrate an historic site, particularly since Foon was not only wealthy but overcame discrimination to succeed. Surely, they argue, at least the basic design could be preserved as a reminder of the original. 

Others contend the empty 100,000-square-foot building is ugly and useless as it stands. Housing is badly needed. There are far better ways to honor Foon's contribution to the community than preserving a decrepit structure. 

That this debate rages (if anything can rage in Palo Alto) is the result of people confusing 'old' with 'historic.' 

Nothing historic ever occurred at Bayside Canning. Although it employed thousands of people over the years and sent untold tons of food around the nation, it only operated for 23 years. Foon also ran a larger facility about 30 miles south of Palo Alto in the Alviso district. People were more exercised when Fry's Electronics closed itss store in the Palo Alto cannery building than when the packing lines stopped. 

In the 37 years I've lived in Palo Alto I have never heard of any movement to honor Foon. Only when someone proposed tearing down something old did people opposed to housing growth different than single family homes seize upon the age of the Bayside Canning building as ammunition in its war to stifle change. 

My home was built in 1926 about a half-mile from Bayside Canning. It contains features that reflect design trends of the era. Visitors frequently describe it as charming. I have lived in it far longer than Bayside Canning operated. I am sure that the next owner will raze it and build a larger, taller replacement with plenty of room for a family. 

I am also certain that no one will rise up to demand the distinctively shaped front window be preserved or the roof of the new house be flat with tile around the edges or the preservation of any other element reminiscent of the current structure. 

That scenario is fine by me. Being old doesn't necessarily mean someone is wise. Being old doesn't necessarily make a building historic. Sometimes the best contribution of an old person or an old building can offer is to get out of the way and let the future happen. 

Guerilla College Affirmative Action

 The self-righteous majority on the Supreme Court, having declared affirmative action dead, are likely celebrating. But, cloistered in universities, legal libraries and court chambers for most of their adult lives, they are unaware their supposed victory is no victory at all. 

It is almost absurdly easy for university entrance departments to ensure a diverse student body by deliberately admitting a cadre of minority students each year. 

A careful reading of applications, essays and recommendations can be as enlightening as a photograph. Home and school addresses can be checked against demographic information. Household income in financial aid applications can be another indication of one's race, although sadly. Interning with the United Farmworkers union and fluency in Spanish is a pretty good sign of ethnicity as is a last name ending in the letter Z. 

Seven of the eight Ivy League colleges as well as other elite schools such as the remaining members of the Seven Sisters women-only institutions require interviews with alums as part of the process. I sincerely doubt applicants are placed behind screens during the discussions. 

Unfortunately, many students worry about reverse discrimination. Tyler Austin Harper, an assistant professor at Bates College wrote in the New York Times about his time working as an admissions consultant. He came across students seeking help in sounding less Asian because they feared top universities ignored their qualifications in the name of diversity. Some students Harper counseled wanted to appear "less rich and less white."

Fears of ongoing discrimination are well founded. The University of California at Berkeley bans the use of race in admissions. It's undergraduate enrollment is 19.5 percent Asian despite the fact 55 percent of the state's high school population is Asian.

In a brief supporting the losing side in the court's affirmative decision, the University of California system stated, "UC's experience demonstrates that the race-neutral measures which it has diligently pursued for 25 years have been inadequate to meaningfully increase student-body diversity and that the problem is most acute at its most selective campuses."

Perhaps UC and other elite institutions should be less diligent, more street smart and make a real commitment to a diverse student body.

Movies That Must Be Made

Some years ago I attended a movie premiere and joked to producer Janet Yang (The Joy Luck Club; The People vs Larry Flynt; The Weight of Water) that I was likely the only person in the room who didn't have an idea for  a screenplay. 

Since then, Covid and Donald Trump persuaded me that my innate anti-authoritarian streak was to be embraced rather than suppressed. And my imagination has run rampant fueled by long hours of idleness. I would never share my ideas with Janet because her innate grace and good manners would force her to stifle a desire to flee. But I'm happy to offer one here because the three people who might read it can simply cancel me with a click.

 The Monarch and Me. This dramedy is best suited for a UK or Europeans limited cable series because it could turn into a documentary. 

A new monarch has moved into Buckingham Palace, one with a hidden agenda and a really smart lawyer. Shortly after the coronation she (I prefer a female in the role) dissolves Parliament, something entirely within her purview. She refuses to recall the lawmakers unless they call an election and pledge in a legally binding way to enact fundamental reforms such as increased healthcare spending, a fair immigration policy and stringent environmental protections. 

Of course everyone goes crazy save for the civil service, which keeps life ticking over while the politicos muck things up. With no written constitution there's no lawful way to oust a monarch and a coup is out of the question because the many factions and parties cannot agree on how to handle the aftermath. Besides, everyone in the military has sworn before god to offer their loyalty to the crown. 

The queen begins assuming more direct control of government, ruling through an advisory board - like in the old days actually. She doesn't bother with perceptions and declines to deal with what she considers the minor matters parliament once embraced so dearly. Polls start to indicate the people warming to her quick decision making and lack of pretense. The only ones in a lather are those who have lost status and power.

Other nations didn't know what to make of the initial situation. Friendlies were patronizing, assuming things would return to the old ways after the queen made her point about... whatever. Enemies primed to take full advantage of the unsettled situation until a cadre of senior UK military leaders made it abundantly clear they would tolerate no mucking about, particularly with their newly bolstered budgets. 

Eventually power-starved parliamentarians accede to the queen's demands. An election is called and a campaign run. The last scene is of the queen watching returns on televisions as news anchors excitedly report a spontaneous and almost universal voter boycott in support for the way the queen is running things. The last shot is the queen looking into the camera with a sly, knowing grin on her face.