Museum of Chinese in America

In this interview with MOCA, four siblings from the Lui Family sit down to discuss their childhood in early 20th century Chinatown. Sisters, Effie and Fannie, begin with a description of their family members and their life in a tenement apartment. They also explain the root of their Christian faith and the role of ministers as community social workers. The sisters then examine the tensions between the Chinese and Italians in the neighborhood and the development of their Chinese American identity. Brothers, Harold and Ronald, then describe their parents’ immigration experience and their siblings’ educations. They also further discuss the importance of the Church in their lives and the challenge of paper son identities. The four siblings ultimately join to discuss the effect on World War II on their family and the conflicts between their Chinese identity and strong Christian faith. They close the interview with a discussion of the importance of family and faith in leaving behind value and a legacy.