Friends Look for Julie Lee’s Vindication
February 22, 2007
Prominent San Franciscans, both Asian and non-, are continuing to lend their support to community activist Julie Lee, who is due in court on May 4, to face felony charges related to the ill-fated and yet-unbuilt San Francisco Neighborhood Resource Center. Lee is accused of misappropriating state funds intended for the center’s construction, funds that were secured for the purpose of bringing much-needed services, including childcare, health care, English classes and legal advice, to immigrants living on The City’s west side.
Earlier this month, the city of San Francisco accused Lee of also misusing grant money awarded to the SFNRC by The City’s Department of Children, Youth and Their Families. City auditors, unable to locate records specifying how a $6,666 cash advance was spent, have recommended that Lee repay the money. Further, they have recommended that, if Lee is unable to provide sufficient documentation to account for the remainder of the $170,000 grant, she should be required to repay the entire grant in full.
Lee’s supporters insist that the real Julie Lee bares no resemblance to the conniving, backroom-dealing villain being portrayed in the newspapers. Thus, friends and associates of Lee, a longtime champion for immigrants, particularly non-English-speaking Asians living and doing business west of 19th Avenue, are coming to the defense of Lee’s character, which they believe is under attack.
“She’s done a lot for the Asian American community,” argues Dr. Philip Chow, a pediatrician with Chinatown-based North East Medical Services (NEMS). “I think most people would recognize that. But, now with the controversy [surrounding the San Francisco Neighborhood Resource Center], I think some people aren’t sure what to think. They can’t tell which part is politics and which part is truth.”
Rev. Amos Brown suggests to those who don’t know Lee personally, and who may be inclined to base their opinion of the recently maligned public figure on what they read in the newspapers, that Lee’s tireless work on behalf of Asian Americans and other minorities paints a much more accurate picture of Lee than any reporter ever could.
“I know Julie Lee, and [what I read in the newspapers] does not represent the Julie that I know,” says the former S.F. supervisor. “The Julie I know is a person of great compassion and concern, and serious about spirituality. That’s her style. She’s reached out to both the Asian American community and the African-American community. And, by doing so, she’s helped combat what I describe as ‘ethnic, racial and spiritual arrogance.’”
Brown points to Lee’s long-running, Chinese-language talk show on KEST as evidence of Lee’s selfless nature.
“She spent her own money to keep that program going for the Chinese community so that people’s decisions would be driven by honest and respectful dialogue,” Brown explains. “She was trying to be a truth-teller. And I honor and respect her for that.”
During the show’s 10-year-plus run, for which Lee spent over $250,000 out-of-pocket, Lee expounded the importance of civic involvement to her audience, who, having come from communist countries, were new to the democratic process.
“Back in their country, you stay out of politics if you want to stay out of trouble,” says Jim Fuller of the San Francisco Republican Central Committee. “But she got them to register to vote and get involved.”
By explaining the goings-on at City Hall to Chinese immigrants in their own language, Lee demystified the political process in America and welcomed into the political fold people who, without Lee’s encouragement, might have allowed cultural differences, particularly language barriers, to keep them and their opinions from being heard.
“She raised consciousness,” explains John Barry, a former SFNRC board member, who currently sits on the San Francisco International Airport Community Roundtable. “And she told them not to be intimidated by the language issue. She’s very charismatic.”
It’s no secret that Lee’s charisma has also made the outspoken figure her share of enemies, particularly within the Asian American community. And these enemies, her supporters suspect, would like nothing better than to witness Lee’s topple from grace.
“[Julie] is very gutsy and straightforward, that’s why she gets things done,” explains San Francisco Redevelopment Commissioner Benny Yee. “But some of the Chinatown women, they don’t like that. I think the vast majority of Chinese are still behind her though, and look to her as a leader.”
Supporters are concerned, however, that the charges against Lee (and the ensuing trial) will have a negative impact on the next generation of Asian American community leaders. After urging fellow Chinese Americans to make a difference, Lee now finds herself a target of the very system in which she urged others not to be afraid to be a part. Supporters are worried that this might turn would-be Asian American leaders away from public service.
“What it teaches people is, if you try to do something good and you make a mistake, other people will try to destroy your life,” explains Rev. Arnold Townsend, a former member of the SFNRC board who currently sits on the San Francisco Elections Commission. “It’s character assassination, and it intimidates others from getting involved.”
Still, supporters remain confident that Lee will be cleared of all charges, and that the feisty Sunset District resident will continue to be a thorn in the side of those who stand between the neighborhood’s immigrant population, and the rights and services to which she believes they are entitled.
“She won’t stop trying to make the Sunset [District] a better place,” says John Barry. “That’s just who she is. She gets her kicks helping the community.”
“She’s a good, decent person,” adds Benny Yee. “She’s dedicated herself to helping the underprivileged, those people who don’t speak the language and who don’t have access to government. I don’t see her ever stopping fighting to improve their quality of life.”
Further, most agree that, without or without Julie, the need for a facility like the San Francisco Neighborhood Resource Center still exists. And, though predictions may vary for when the dream of such a facility will be realized, particularly now that The City has sold the parcel of land on which the SFNRC was to be erected, all agree that it will indeed happen.
“It was a worthwhile vision, and I think it will happen because it needs to happen,” says Jim Fuller. “But it probably won’t happen in my lifetime.”
Benny Yee agrees: “Julie was our best shot at getting it built [in my lifetime]. There’s no one else, no other group right now willing to put the effort into it.”
“I doubt we’ll ever find another property like that one, but I think it will happen in my lifetime,” says Diana Jung of the Wah Mei School, which was in talks with Julie Lee and the SFNRC Board to provide childcare services at the center.
“We knew then that it was necessary and right, and it’s still necessary and right,” adds Rev. Arnold Townsend.
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