First Letter to Fremont CA School on Chinese New Year

To Whom It May Concern,

I hope this message finds you well. As a parent of a student at *****, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for the school's ongoing efforts to celebrate cultural diversity and foster an inclusive environment for all students.

It is with this same spirit of respect for inclusion that I write to share a concern regarding the terminology used for the upcoming Spring Festival celebration.

I fully understand that the term "Lunar New Year" is often intended to be inclusive of various traditions celebrated across different Asian cultures. However, it is important to recognize that the term does not originate from Chinese communities themselves. It was first adopted in 1968 in Hong Kong under British colonial governance. This terminology, created within a colonial administrative context, has carried a lasting legacy that many Chinese families experience as alienating, as it was not born out of cultural self-determination but rather imposed from above.

In this regard, it is akin to the historical use of term "Indochina" by European colonial powers to group together distinct nations of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos under a single term. This term not only erased the individual identities of these nations, but it also became a symbol of colonial oppression that continues to be uncomfortable for the people of those countries. Similarly, the imposition of "Lunar New Year" within the Hong Kong colonial administration was not an effort to celebrate cultural diversity, but rather a mechanism to dilute and diminish Chinese cultural identity. For many families of Chinese descent, the continued use of this term feels like an endorsement of that historical erasure, sending a message that cultural roots are malleable and subject to external powers.

I am deeply aware that the school's decision to use "Lunar New Year" is motivated by a sincere desire to be inclusive. However, true inclusion cannot be achieved by perpetuating terminology that originated in a colonial context. To genuinely honor cultural diversity, we must respect cultural autonomy and historical accuracy. Using terms such as "Chinese New Year" or "Spring Festival" would not only align with cultural integrity, but also offer an opportunity to educate students about the various New Year traditions observed across different parts of Asia—such as Tết in Vietnam or Seollal in Korea—while acknowledging that these celebrations, though related, have unique cultural histories.

As educators, we have the privilege—and responsibility—of fostering an environment where history is respected, and cultural self-identification is upheld. By using "Chinese New Year" or "Spring Festival," the school would not only be showing respect for the cultural origins of this celebration, but also creating space for a more nuanced understanding of how these traditions have evolved in diverse contexts.

I’ve attached a brief summary of the 1968 Hong Kong colonial legislation that formally replaced the term “Chinese New Year” with “Lunar New Year.” I hope this historical context may be helpful as the school considers its terminology choices.

Thank you very much for your time and thoughtful consideration. I welcome further dialogue on this issue and sincerely appreciate the school’s continued dedication to fostering an environment of respect and inclusivity for all students.

Warm regards and Chun Jie Kuai Le!