在美南电视环球剧场摄影棚裡 —— 一代德州老华侨的身影

在 美南电视环球剧场 的摄影棚裡，灯光慢慢亮起。

镜头前端坐着的，不只是几位长者，而是一段德州华人歷史的缩影。

以 黄朱爱慧 德州议员

与 关振鹏 前副市长

為代表的一代老华侨，静静坐在镜头前。

他们的神情沉稳，语气平实，却承载着数十年的风霜与荣耀。

他们初到德州时，这裡没有如今繁华的国际区，

没有林立的中文招牌，也没有成熟的社团组织。

语言不通，文化差异，身份限制——

那是一个凡事都要靠自己摸索的年代。

有人在餐馆打工，

有人在工厂轮夜班，

有人在小小的办公室裡创业，

一步一脚印，為家庭、為下一代铺路。

他们说，那个年代没有退路。

只能向前。

当 黄朱爱慧议员 走进州议会，

当 关振鹏副市长 服务於市政体系，

那不只是个人的成功，

更象徵着华人正式走入公共舞台，

在德州这片土地上拥有了话语权。

那一代人，

不仅在经济上立足，

更在政治与社会层面，為华人社区打开大门。

摄影棚裡，他们谈起往事。

谈到第一次竞选时的紧张，

谈到社区初创时资源的匱乏，

也谈到农历新年活动从几十人聚会，成长為数万人参与的盛典。

岁月在脸上留下痕跡，

却没有带走那份坚定与信念。

他们的故事，不只是回忆。

那是德州华人社区从边缘走向主流的见证。

今天，年轻一代在科技、医疗、金融与公共服务领域发光发热。

国际区高楼林立，文化节庆热闹非凡。

但在繁华背后，

是那一代老华侨默默奠下的基石。

在美南电视环球剧场的摄影棚裡，

灯光不只是照亮镜头，

更照亮歷史。

他们的故事，

值得被记录，

值得被传承，

也值得被下一代铭记。

因為正是这一代人的勇气与远见，

让德州的华人社区，

从异乡落地生根，

走向自信与荣耀。

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.