Jeffery Paul Chan

Jeffery Paul Chan (1942-2022) was an influential Asian American author, scholar, and educator who helped establish Asian American studies as an academic discipline. As a professor at San Francisco State University for 38 years, he co-founded and twice chaired the Asian American studies department. Chan is best known as co-editor of "Aiiieeeee! An Anthology of Asian-American Writers," a landmark publication that brought attention to Asian American literature. Working with Frank Chin, Lawson Fusao Inada, and Shawn Wong through the Combined Asian Resources Project (CARP), he helped revive important works by earlier Asian American authors. His scholarly contributions include coining the term "racist love" with Frank Chin, describing how positive stereotypes of Asians can be as harmful as negative racial stereotypes. Chan's creative work includes the play "Bunnyhop," which was produced by East West Players in the 1977-1978 season. Beyond academia, Chan maintained connections to Asian American cultural institutions, serving on the Board of Directors of the Asian American Theater Company. His work consistently focused on advancing Asian American representation in literature, theater, and academic discourse.

Limited reader reviews and ratings are available online for Jeffery Paul Chan's works. Most discussion centers on "Aiiieeeee! An Anthology of Asian-American Writers" which Chan co-edited. What readers liked: - The anthology's role in preserving early Asian American literary voices - Chan's clear writing style and academic analysis - His focus on authentic Asian American perspectives What readers disliked: - Some found the anthology's editorial tone confrontational - Academic writing style can be dense for general readers - Limited availability of his creative works Ratings: Goodreads: "Aiiieeeee!" - 3.8/5 (112 ratings) Amazon: "Aiiieeeee!" - 4.2/5 (6 ratings) One reader noted: "The essays provide crucial context for understanding Asian American literature's development." Another commented: "The militant editorial stance may put off some readers, but the collected works are important."

Aiiieeeee! An Anthology of Asian-American Writers (1974) Co-edited collection that helped establish the Asian American literary canon, featuring works by Carlos Bulosan, John Okada, Toshio Mori, and others.

Bunnyhop (1977) Stage play examining Asian American identity and relationships through the lens of a Chinese American family in San Francisco.

Frank Chin collaborated closely with Chan on foundational Asian American literary projects including "Aiiieeeee!" Their shared focus on authenticity and resistance to stereotypes shaped Asian American literary criticism.

Shawn Wong worked with Chan through CARP to recover and republish early Asian American literary works. His novel "Homebase" explores similar themes of identity and belonging that Chan examined.

Maxine Hong Kingston writes about Chinese American experiences and cultural translation between East and West. Her work "The Woman Warrior" addresses issues of voice and representation that Chan explored throughout his career.

Carlos Bulosan authored "America Is in the Heart," which Chan helped bring back into print through CARP. His documentation of Filipino American experiences aligns with Chan's mission to preserve Asian American literary heritage.

John Okada wrote "No-No Boy," a novel Chan helped rescue from obscurity through the "Aiiieeeee!" anthology. His exploration of Japanese American identity during WWII reflects Chan's interest in authentic Asian American narratives.