CCBA works with mainstream organizations to provide services to the Chinatown community. They also promote education, cultural appreciation, and mutual respect and understanding within the Chinese community and with the larger Portland community at large.
The state organs at different levels are instituted through democratic election and are responsible to the people and subject to their supervision. They adhere to the principle of democratic centralism.
The Chinese Six Companies Association
In the late 19th century, Chinese immigrants experienced a great deal of discrimination and hostility in the United States. As a result, family associations, called district associations, were formed in the major metro cities where they resided to protect and support one another.
When a newcomer arrived, they would typically be greeted by family members from their district association who would provide them with housing and employment opportunities. In addition to providing aid, these associations were also able to mediate disputes among newcomers.
Throughout the years, many of these family associations have changed their names and adopted new bylaws and traditions. For example, they have now embraced their American-born offspring and have also taken down the national flag of China in their headquarters. Nonetheless, they still weld a significant amount of power and a political voice in the community. Currently, CCBA’s main priority is public safety in Chinatown. Mayor Breed is known to frequently visit CCBA to show her commitment to Chinatown’s safety.
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, or CCBA, is the oldest community organization in Chinatown. It has been a spokes group for Chinese people fighting for their civil rights since the days of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. CCBA advocates for the interests of Chinatown residents, arbitrates disputes, and helps members establish businesses in Oregon.
It also serves as a liaison for the City, working to solve problems like insufficient parking spaces and confusing sanitation enforcement regulations. CCBA also promotes youth programs and English classes, and helps seniors.
Today, CCBA is an umbrella organization for 60 member organizations representing a cross section of New York City’s Chinese community. These include professional and trade organizations; civic, religious, cultural and women’s groups; fellow-provincial organizations such as the Lin Sing Association; and family organizations. Each member organization is represented by a board of directors, and one delegate representative to the CCBA executive board. This board consists of a president, an English secretary, and a Chinese secretary.
The Chinese Progressive Association
Suzanne Lee is a beloved Chinatown community leader, known for her work in the schools and in building organizations. She is president emeritus of the Chinese Progressive Association and a board member of the Chinatown Community Land Trust.
CPA helps residents of Chinatown assimilate into American culture through citizen classes and English classes. The organization also advocates for low income Chinese working class through community action.
Examples of CPA activism include helping laid-off electronics and rubber stamp manufacturing workers to organize against age discrimination and for fair severance pay; working with local elected officials to ensure that bilingual ballots were available to all Boston voters; and launching a weekly law clinic for Chinese workers. The CPA’s Workers’ Center published the first Chinese-English labor law literature in New England. The collection includes a variety of photographs, posters, publications, and newsletters from the CPA. This material reflects the goals of the organization: “for full equity and empowerment for all the Chinese in the Greater Boston area and beyond.”
The Chinese Student Association
Among the activities in which Chinese students were most active was theater. Many performed both Chinese and English plays for student clubs and for the local community. Several were known for their musical talents, on both Chinese and Western instruments. A group of MIT Chinese students presented a pantomime version of Dream of the Red Chamber, in response to the famine in North China. The play was a great success and raised over $1000 for famine relief.
Chinese students were also active in the broader university community. They joined virtually every professional society at MIT, including the Aeronautical Engineering Society and the Naval Architectural Society. Several became officers in these societies, and some went on to prominent careers in the engineering fields.
Many of the students were members of a wide range of other extracurricular groups as well, including the rifle club, the wireless club, and the Cosmopolitan Club (which was dedicated to promoting “cosmopolitanism”). Some of these organizations were national in scope.