Dr. Peter Kiang

Dr. Peter Kiang is one of Boston’s foremost experts on Chinatown and Asian-American history throughout New England. His involvement in the community began twenty-five years ago with his participation in the Asian-American Resource Workshop and he continues to take part in various leadership and volunteer roles. An established educator and lecturer, he now oversees UMass-Boston’s program for Asian-American studies.

Like many, Kiang worries about the new developments which are encroaching on housing and organizations in Chinatown. The destruction of many neighborhood mainstays touches him personally. In 1986, Kiang worked on a large mural that occupied one side of the community building which held the Kwong Kow Chinese School. As the building was being torn down in 2002, he went to the site and retrieved two painted bricks.

Kiang believes the survival of Chinatown is also dependent on the preservation of its history. “There is nothing taught in the Boston Public Schools about this community, and the social studies curriculum delves into so much local history. But it never touches Chinatown,” he says.

Kiang covered one such historical event in the Fall 2004 newsletter of the Chinese Historical Society of New England, the organization which he also serves as the co-president. “In 1903, the Department of Justice performed an immigration raid, rounding up 200–300 immigrants residing in Chinatown. They claimed it was to rid the neighborhood of criminals. In actuality, it was a test run on raids to take place in other cities which would rid the areas of the immigrant population.”

“There is amazing history in Chinatown, “he says. “Students really need to learn about these things.”