Gary Locke’s Strategies To Construct The American Identity

Chinese Americans, as immigrants and minority, have had a hard life in theUnited States. In order to get used to the American society, they have been found inthe scholarly researches that they have adopted strategies in social life, politicalactivities, and religion and culture.Chinese Americans with yellow skin confront prejudice and discrimination all thetime in the white America. It is too difficult for Chinese Americans to get somewhere.Therefore, in spite of his diligence and intelligence, Gary Locke has his ownstrategies.Most of Chinese Americans are not willing to mention their connections withChina. Gary Locke is distinctive, though. He won his gubernatorial campaign byusing his immigrant family story and realized his American Dream. But more thanthat, every time he came to China, he would like to mention his Chinese roots andtook part in the “In Search of Roots” in1997. He would like to add that “I was born inthe United States.” to remind his audience that he is a real American.Gary Locke, a Chinese American celebrity who has realized his American dream,tries to use the American values to influence other Chinese Americans. He warnedother Chinese Americans to show their loyalty to the country since ChineseAmericans are considered as traitors every now and then. He has twice deliveredspeeches at the annual conferences of the Committee of100. He encouraged others tochallenge the “glass ceiling” to pursue freedom, equality and opportunity, and activelytake part in politics to protect the interests of Chinese Americans.In the tenures of governor and commerce secretary, Gary Locke made full use ofhis Chinese background to open the door and remarkably improved the US export toChina. On the other hand, he was extremely severe with Chinese products. Simply inthe year of2009, the US Department of Commerce headed by Gary Locke issued upto14anti-dumping and countervailing investigations against Chinese products.What’s more, he repeatedly complained the terrible business environment in China. All these practices just work as a strategy to prove him an officer serving the countrywholeheartedly and an American beyond all doubt.In brief, Gary Locke’s doings are trying to prove him a “100percent American”,which has reflected that Chinese Americans in the US, successful or not, can not getthemselves out of the identity dilemma. Therefore, Chinese in China should offerthem more comprehension.