在美南電視環球劇場攝影棚裡 —— 一代德州老華僑的身影

在 美南電視環球劇場 的攝影棚裡，燈光慢慢亮起。

鏡頭前端坐著的，不只是幾位長者，而是一段德州華人歷史的縮影。

以 黃朱愛慧 德州議員

與 關振鵬 前副市長

為代表的一代老華僑，靜靜坐在鏡頭前。

他們的神情沉穩，語氣平實，卻承載著數十年的風霜與榮耀。

他們初到德州時，這裡沒有如今繁華的國際區，

沒有林立的中文招牌，也沒有成熟的社團組織。

語言不通，文化差異，身份限制——

那是一個凡事都要靠自己摸索的年代。

有人在餐館打工，

有人在工廠輪夜班，

有人在小小的辦公室裡創業，

一步一腳印，為家庭、為下一代鋪路。

他們說，那個年代沒有退路。

只能向前。

當 黃朱愛慧議員 走進州議會，

當 關振鵬副市長 服務於市政體系，

那不只是個人的成功，

更象徵著華人正式走入公共舞台，

在德州這片土地上擁有了話語權。

那一代人，

不僅在經濟上立足，

更在政治與社會層面，為華人社區打開大門。

攝影棚裡，他們談起往事。

談到第一次競選時的緊張，

談到社區初創時資源的匱乏，

也談到農曆新年活動從幾十人聚會，成長為數萬人參與的盛典。

歲月在臉上留下痕跡，

卻沒有帶走那份堅定與信念。

他們的故事，不只是回憶。

那是德州華人社區從邊緣走向主流的見證。

今天，年輕一代在科技、醫療、金融與公共服務領域發光發熱。

國際區高樓林立，文化節慶熱鬧非凡。

但在繁華背後，

是那一代老華僑默默奠下的基石。

在美南電視環球劇場的攝影棚裡，

燈光不只是照亮鏡頭，

更照亮歷史。

他們的故事，

值得被記錄，

值得被傳承，

也值得被下一代銘記。

因為正是這一代人的勇氣與遠見，

讓德州的華人社區，

從異鄉落地生根，

走向自信與榮耀。

In the Studio of Southern TV Global Theater

— The Legacy of Texas’ First-Generation Chinese American Leaders

Inside the studio of Southern TV Global Theater, the lights slowly rise.

Seated before the cameras are not merely elders, but living chapters of Texas Chinese American history.

Among them are Martha Wong, former Texas State Representative,

and Gordon Quan, former Houston Deputy Mayor—

representatives of a pioneering generation of Chinese immigrants in Texas.

Their voices are calm.

Their expressions steady.

Yet behind them lie decades of struggle, resilience, and quiet triumph.

⸻

When they first arrived in Texas, there was no thriving International District,

no rows of Chinese storefronts,

no established community infrastructure.

Language was the first barrier.

Cultural difference, the second.

Limited representation and opportunity, the third.

They worked in restaurants, factories, small offices.

They built businesses from nothing.

They saved, sacrificed, endured.

There was no roadmap.

Only determination.

They often say: “In those days, there was no turning back—only moving forward.”

⸻

When Martha Wong stepped into the Texas Legislature,

it was more than a personal milestone.

It marked a moment when the Chinese American community entered the political arena with dignity and voice.

When Gordon Quan served as Deputy Mayor of Houston,

it symbolized inclusion—

a sign that the city recognized the value and leadership of its Chinese American citizens.

This generation did not seek visibility for fame.

They sought representation for their community.

They understood that economic success alone was not enough—

true belonging required civic participation.

⸻

In the studio, as they recount their journeys,

they speak of early campaigns filled with uncertainty,

of community events organized with limited funds,

of Lunar New Year gatherings that began with dozens and grew to tens of thousands.

Time has etched lines upon their faces,

but it has not diminished their conviction.

Their stories are not simply nostalgia.

They are the foundation upon which today’s community stands.

⸻

Now, younger generations thrive in medicine, technology, finance, and public service.

Houston’s International District flourishes with culture and commerce.

But behind today’s vibrancy stands the quiet strength of that first generation.

In the studio of Southern TV Global Theater,

the lights do more than illuminate faces.

They illuminate history.

And that history reminds us:

On unfamiliar soil, they did more than survive.

They built, they represented, and they led.

Because of them,

the Chinese American community in Texas did not remain on the margins.

It stepped forward—

with confidence, dignity, and pride.