Guide to the Organization of Chinese Americans, Pittsburgh Chapter Records, 1973-1984 AIS.2001.05

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Organization of Chinese Americans, Pittsburgh Chapter Records
Creator
Organization of Chinese Americans. Pittsburgh Chapter
Collection Number
AIS.2001.05
Extent
0.42 Linear Feet (1 box)
Date
1973-1984
Abstract
The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) was inaugurated nationally in June of 1973 as the first and only national Chinese American civil rights group headquartered in Washington D.C. The goals of this nonprofit nonpartisan organization are to advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment; to promote civic participation, education and leadership; to advance coalitions and community building; and to foster cultural heritage. Included in this collection are copies of the OCA's constitution, by-laws, and articles of incorporation; information regarding court cases of significance to the Asian American community; and documents about the Organization of Chinese Women.
Language
English .
Author
Zachary L. Brodt.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) was inaugurated nationally in June of 1973. The goals of this nonprofit nonpartisan group are to advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment; to promote civic participation, education and leadership; to advance coalitions and community building; and to foster cultural heritage. The OCA was the first and only national Chinese American civil rights organization headquartered in Washington D.C. This location was chosen as headquarters to facilitate greater involvement in federal legislation. Today the OCA has fifty chapters. The Pittsburgh Chapter was founded in 1973 and was one of the earliest and largest chapters. The Organization of Chinese Women was founded by the OCA in 1977. This group maintains the same goals as the OCA, but focuses its work specifically toward the betterment of women in the Asian American community.

Scope and Content Notes

The Records of the Organization of Chinese Americans, Pittsburgh Chapter, mainly contain information about the organization at the national level. Included are copies of the organization's constitution, by-laws, and articles of incorporation; annual and committee reports; information regarding national conventions; and correspondence. Information from other chapters such as Santa Clara County, California, is included as well. Also present are records regarding various subjects related to the group's goal of aiding Asian Americans in becoming more socially and politically accepted, such as promoting bilingual education in schools, protesting bans on employing illegal aliens, and speaking out against restrictions on immigration which led to the separation of families.

Three court cases are mentioned within this collection: the Bakke Case, Vincent Chin Case, and Young/Chin Case. The Bakke case involved a claim of reverse discrimination by a white student who argued that he was denied entry to a medical school due to their policy of awarding 16 of 100 openings to minorities. This case proved important to the OCA because its outcome would affect affirmative action policies nationwide. The Vincent Chin case revolved around the minor penalties given to the murderers of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American. In 1984, two years after the murder, the Supreme Court ruled that Chin's civil rights had been violated. The Young/Chin case involved the Chinese American couple of Elizabeth Young and Kenny Chin, no relation to Vincent Chin, whose apartment was illegally ransacked and who were arrested by the Secret Service for a plot to assassinate the Royal couple of Japan. When conspiracy accusations did not stand up in court, the couple was charged with transporting firearms across state lines. The OCA argued that this accusation should not have been permitted due to the illegal means by which the firearm was found and Chin was only convicted of conspiracy to transport the firearm because it was agreed that Young, a woman, could not buy and operate a hunting rifle. They believed this sexist ruling and illegal search of the couple's apartment made them victims of human rights violations.

Arrangement

These files are arranged alphabetically.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Previous Citation

Organization of Chinese Americans, Pittsburgh Chapter Records, 1973-1984, AIS.2001.05, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Organization of Chinese Americans, Pittsburgh Chapter Records, 1973-1984, AIS.2001.05, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Zachary L. Brodt in August 2006.

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Separated Material

Publications were removed from this collection and catalogued in the University Library System.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Organization of Chinese Americans. Pittsburgh Chapter
    • Organization of Chinese Americans

    Personal Names

    • Bakke, Allan Paul
    • Chin, Kenny
    • Chin, Vincent
    • Eu, March Fong
    • Lee, Hayden
    • Young, Elizabeth

    Other Subjects

    • Chinese Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Societies and clubs
    • Chinese Americans -- Societies and clubs
    • Societies
    • Ethnic groups

Container List

National Constitution and By-Laws
Containers
box 1, folder 1
Alerts on Legislation, 1978-1979, 1984
Containers
box 1, folder 2
Annual Reports, 1974, 1979
Containers
box 1, folder 3
Articles of Incorporation, 1973
Containers
box 1, folder 4
Asian Americans for Community Involvement of Santa Clara County, 1978
Containers
box 1, folder 5
Asian American History
Containers
box 1, folder 6
Bakke Case, 1977
Containers
box 1, folder 7
Bibliography Lists Regarding Asians in North America
Containers
box 1, folder 8
Bilingual Education, 1978
Containers
box 1, folder 9
Chinese Americans Clippings, 1974-1979
Containers
box 1, folder 10
Chinese Language and Culture
Containers
box 1, folder 11
Committee for the Chinese Classroom at Wayne State
Containers
box 1, folder 12
Committee Reports and Correspondence, 1977-1979
Containers
box 1, folder 13
Employment, 1976
Containers
box 1, folder 14
Event Pamphlets and Programs, 1974-1982
Containers
box 1, folder 15
Executive Council Meeting, 1976-1978
Containers
box 1, folder 16
Executive Director Reports and Correspondence, 1977-1983
Containers
box 1, folder 17
Finances and Fund Raisers, 1974, 1977-1980
Containers
box 1, folder 18
"Flying Confused Cloud" Sheet Music
Containers
box 1, folder 19
Heritage Week, 1977-1978, 1982
Containers
box 1, folder 20
Immigration, 1976-1979
Containers
box 1, folder 21
March Fong Eu Campaign, 1982
Containers
box 1, folder 22
National Board Meeting, 1976-1979
Containers
box 1, folder 23
National Convention Agendas and Announcements, 1973, 1976-1984
Containers
box 1, folder 24
National President Correspondence, 1975-1978, 1981, 1983
Containers
box 1, folder 25
Organization of Chinese Americans Events and Programs, 1974-1979
Containers
box 1, folder 26
Organization of Chinese Americans Reports, 1977-1980
Containers
box 1, folder 27
Organization of Chinese American Women, 1978-1981
Containers
box 1, folder 28
Position Announcements, 1977-1979
Containers
box 1, folder 29
Press Releases, 1979, 1982
Containers
box 1, folder 30
Student Development Division, 1980
Containers
box 1, folder 31
Vincent Chin Case, 1983
Containers
box 1, folder 32
Young/Chin v. United States of America, 1977
Containers
box 1, folder 33