San Francisco City Supervisor Aaron Peskin, a longtime advocate for Chinatown, has played a significant role in the city’s political scene for more than 20 years. Over his 23-year career, he has won three elections to represent District 3, which includes Chinatown. Locally, he’s known as “the foreign official.” One of his key initiatives has been to propose naming a subway stop in Chinatown after the late community leader, Rose Pak, and he has been a persistent supporter of Single Room Occupancies (SROs). Reflecting on his relationship with Chinatown over the past two decades, he remarked, “The support and generosity I’ve received from the community is especially unique.”
As we explored his views on Asian culture, Peskin shared his fond memories of living and traveling through Asia. In 1984, he spent a year and a half immersed in different Asian cultures, which deepened his appreciation for Chinese traditions. “The streets are always bustling with life. I grew up enjoying Chinese food, and I learned to use chopsticks at a young age,” he explained. “My wife and I often shop in Chinatown, and many people might not realize how affordable the ingredients are there.”
Peskin commended the leadership found within Chinatown’s community organizations, highlighting how they often unite despite differing perspectives to strive towards common objectives. “Organizations like the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and the Chinese Community Health Resource Center have profound histories, ranging from 40 to 150 years. They exhibit strong structures, clear goals, and a solid understanding of how the city functions. When they come to me with proposals, it clarifies my role immensely.”
He described Chinatown as one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in San Francisco, and even the entire nation. “If other neighborhoods could adopt Chinatown’s cooperative ethos, they would see significant benefits. This could be linked to aspects of Chinese culture that stress cooperation and inclusiveness, contrasting with the individualistic nature often found in American culture.”
Peskin noted the importance of this cooperative spirit, especially highlighted during the pandemic. Chinatown, with its high population density, faced severe challenges due to communal living conditions in SROs, which facilitated the virus’s spread. “I was genuinely afraid and concerned during that time,” he recalled.
Community organizations, such as East West Medical Center and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, took early measures before nationwide lockdowns were enforced. They educated residents on health practices like wearing masks and maintaining hand hygiene, which played a critical role in preventing a major outbreak in Chinatown. “We achieved the lowest virus transmission rate in the most densely populated area, making San Francisco one of the cities with the lowest transmission rates in the nation,” Peskin stated. “Those results are truly remarkable.”
As the city moves forward, it faces new hurdles, particularly related to hate crimes, retail theft, and homelessness, worsened by the pandemic. While San Francisco’s economic recovery hasn’t been as rapid as hoped, the city is preparing to host a significant event: the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
The 2023 APEC summit will welcome leaders and representatives from 21 countries to address critical economic issues. Some locals view this summit as a rare chance for economic rejuvenation, while others see it as a daunting challenge. Peskin offers a nuanced perspective.
“For San Francisco residents, especially those tied to Asian cultures, APEC is an important opportunity. It marks a moment of cultural pride and elevation for the Asian community, particularly for those in Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Manila,” he explained.
Reflecting on San Francisco’s hosting of a World’s Fair just a decade after the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, he likened this event to a phoenix rising from the ashes. He believes that the APEC summit will usher in unprecedented opportunities for individuals and enhance U.S.-China relations.
“The U.S.-China relationship has always been complex,” he acknowledged, recalling former President Nixon’s historic visit to China as a pivotal moment that helped normalize relations, culminating with the first Air China flight landing in San Francisco from Shanghai. This increased exchange has led to progress in cultural, economic, and human development between the two nations.
Peskin posited that the energy surrounding the APEC summit will help bridge ethnic misunderstandings and elevate Asian Americans within the broader social fabric in the U.S., fostering growth among diverse cultures. “The world’s spotlight will be on San Francisco, and this is our chance to showcase what makes our city unique. While we recognize the challenges we face, this surely represents a moment for pride for all San Franciscans.”
