Office of China Initiatives Hosts Discussion and Screening of Documentary Following Chiu Family in the South

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2021) — Growing up, Baldwin Chiu read about segregation. He thought it only affected the Black community, but as he and his family followed their Chinese American roots to the Mississippi Delta, they discovered surprising family revelations and uncovered the racially complex history of Chinese immigrants in the segregated South.

Chiu will join the University of Kentucky Office of China Initiatives (OCI) for a film screening and discussion of “Far East Deep South,” a film about the Chiu family’s emotional journey, at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at the Gatton Student Center Worsham Cinema. The event is open to UK students, faculty and staff.

For those that attend the event, Chiu, whose story has also been featured on NBC News, PBS and NPR, said he hopes they can leave feeling more united.

“I hope attendees learn that there are more things we all have in common that should unite us,” he said. “We all hope for a brighter future, but don’t know what got us to where we are today. The past doesn’t need to define us. But we need to know our past in order to understand how we got to the present so that we can effectively create a better future.”

For those who cannot attend in person, OCI is offering a virtual option. Registrants with a valid UK email address can access the link to the film, and then join the film discussion in real time via Zoom. To register, go to https://international.uky.edu/oci/far-east-deep-south.

Not only does the film feature Chiu’s family and their journey, but Chiu produced “Far East Deep South,” and his wife, Larissa Lam, directed, produced and wrote the film.

Chiu will lead the discussion following the screening. Anastasia Curwood, director of African American and Africana Studies at UK, and Akiko Takenaka, associate professor of history at UK, will join Chiu in discussion.

Chiu said it’s important for universities like UK to bring these types of films to campus.

“Many universities have a large Asian student body, but too many times, these students are considered foreign and not a part of American society,” he said. “With Kentucky being considered part of the South, it’s a good reminder that history in the South includes Asians and Asian Americans and the contributions have been significant for many generations. Asian American is American and it’s important for everyone to know that Asians belong here too and are proud to be part of the American landscape.”

“Far East Deep South” made its broadcast premiere in the U.S. on the PBS series, "America ReFramed" in May 2021. Before its broadcast premiere, the film debuted in several film festivals, earning rave reviews and awards.

Huajing Maske, executive director of OCI, first heard about “Far East Deep South” in August.

“My staff and I at OCI used it as professional development opportunity,” Maske said. “We found this film to be very refreshing and highly educational.”

After discussion among staff, OCI saw the opportunity to bring “Far East Deep South” to UK and couldn’t pass it up.

“Several faculty members have expressed interest in bringing this film to our campus, and we may even be able to use the film for several courses taught on campus in the fall and spring,” Maske said.

The William T. Young Library also worked effectively in finalizing the agreement for a lifelong license of the film, ensuring the film was ready for viewing by the campus community.

“One of OCI’s important priorities in addition to partnership building with Chinese institutions, international Chinese student support and faculty teaching and research initiatives, is to bridge internationalization and the university’s (diversity, equity and inclusion) effort,” Maske said. “We see ourselves as the connecting point on campus in educating the Chinese international students and Chinese visiting scholars about the racial history of this country, and at the same time shouldering the responsibility of bringing Asian and Asian American history and experience to the UK community and beyond.”

Katrice Albert, UK’s vice president for institutional diversity, said UK is deeply committed to the work of DEI. 

“I am thrilled to join and serve UK as vice president for institutional diversity. Since my arrival one month ago, I have been encouraged by the level of work to advance diversity, equity and inclusion at UK. OCI's programs demonstrate such endeavors by making an intentional effort to align internationalization and our DEI work,” Albert said. “OCI, with its unique position and expertise, has been crucial in amplifying Asian American stories and perspectives to the university while educating international students and the community on the complexities of racial injustice in America. The Far East Deep South film screening is a magnificent an example. The event will offer our campus a rare opportunity to follow the incredible journey of the Chiu Family in Mississippi and the important relationship developed between the African American and Chinese American communities. The discussions after the screening with the film’s producer will no doubt deepen the discussion in this important area."

The “Far East Deep South” film screening and discussion, as well as OCI’s Book Club “Free Your Mind: Sparking Conversation through the Asian American Experience,” are examples of OCI’s mission.

“In the coming months and years, OCI will continue working with the campus community to enhance the understanding of AAPI history and experience,” Maske said. “The goal is for us all to understand that we are more the same than we are different. Together, we will build a community and a nation that embraces cultural humanity.”

For more information about OCI or the film screening, contact Huajing Maske at huajing.maske@uky.edu.

About Office of China Initiatives

Established in 2014, the University of Kentucky Office of China Initiatives (OCI) leads UK’s China strategy through developing key partnerships, providing opportunities for students and faculty to engage with China, cultivating a holistic educational experience for students of Chinese descent, and growing UK’s brand and alumni network in China. OCI also bridges internationalization and diversity, equity, and inclusion through advocacy and education while fostering and advancing a culture of belonging where ALL are valued, respected and engaged in their pursuit of global understanding.