When East Met West (first course)

I have never been to China, nor traveled outside of the U.S. but I hope to at some point in my lifetime. I suppose for my grandfather as captivating as it is, the thought of going to China, a country halfway across the world had it's novelties. My grandfather who went by the name of Earl West, both Black American, and Cherokee native was born and raised in Yakima Washington, a small town mostly rural, known for an array of small vineyards and apple orchards. A quiet place, somewhat unknown, but a place nonetheless my grandfather called home. It was there in Yakima, he and his two brothers grew up in a quiet neighborhood, where they spent much time experiencing life while growing into adolescence. It wasn’t until his late teens when my grandfather grew fond of becoming a musician, and a seemingly passionate musician at that. He favored and practiced different instruments, but his instrument of choice was the bass guitar.

He would practice and play years before his invitation to travel abroad. This proposition was brought to him by one of his friends he ran around town with. They had noticed a advertisement post along some barren wall in the neighborhood, it read there had been a need for Jazz musicians in China, and they invited him to come along. He of course mulled it over and the idea struck a chord in him, (literally and figuratively). He along with a few other gentlemen began to make plans for a once in a lifetime opportunity, and eventually ventured out to make the trip.

Once abroad, my Grandfather and his friends, landed in Shanghai China. Standing just about 6 feet tall, with a deep complexion he was a charismatic gentleman, with an infectious personality. With his easy going resolve he made friends often. He would play a few gigs with his friends, and eventually being a natural leader, created his band “Earl West and The Night Owls”. His bandmates were talented and consisted of many different ethnic backgrounds, musicians they met who came from different parts of the world. His band along with other bands, would play in local night clubs, entertaining locals, and others, native to China coming in from as far as Beijing. Of course with the onset of World War II, the usual audience would become more inclusive of Military personnel both nationals and Americans, as well as prisoners being held in Japanese Internment camps, who would often seek pleasure and relaxation in musical entertainment. It was said policies regarding leisurely activities were not as rigid as one might expect, and it was quite the norm to see intermingling between different allies.

My grandfather (as recollected from my mother) lived a vivacious life. He spent most of his young adulthood traveling throughout China and ended up in Hong Kong, living there for 10 years. He lived in Beijing and was loved and accepted there. China, had diverse populations. He hob knobbed with natives from England, Russia, China, the Philippines, and of course other Americans. During his gallivanting, he met a personable young man by the name of Eddie. Eddie was my grandmother’s brother, they had hit it off with each other long before Eddie would introduce my grandmother to him. My grandmother Deidre and her brother Eddie were born to Norah. (Before I go any further, I must tell you for the sake of familiarity, my great grandmother’s nickname is Mickey, and my grandmother’s nickname is Venus. I am sure my mother will be okay with you addressing them as such, as she would want you to feel like family). All you must remember about Eddie on the other hand is, Eddie, for whatever reason he did not receive a nickname.

Mickey, my great grandmother was predominately British, with Scottish and Gaelic blood flowing through her veins. My great grandfather was a full-blooded Chinese man, who attended the boarding house Mickey ran in England. Although we do not know of his family history, he came from wealth. It was in this boarding house their courtship began. As their courtship developed, they fell in love, and eventually they married. Their marriage was held in England, and soon after, my great-grandfather brought Mickey back to China, to a province in Beijing. We say he came from wealth because he lived abundantly. We do not know what my great grandfather did for a living, nor do we know his full name, however, what we do know is that they were well off not just by Chinese standards but American standards as well. There was no need for Mickey to cook because my great grandfather had cooks in the house who made the meals. Venus and Eddie were waited on by servants who would do the common household chores of laundry, cleaning and watching over them during the hours Mickey was at the boarding house. Both were transported to and from home and school by private rickshaws. I have since learned the correct word is ‘Coolie’. At the time, they were human driven. I imagine not the modern tourist driven rickshaws with wheels and pedals, but rickshaws lifted by the strength of the operator who traveled down arduous roads. Life was flowing and abundant, a subtle well-to-do life in the East for my grandmother.

My grandmother’s beauty struck many. By the time she was in her late twenties her Asian features grew subtle and her European features grew prominent. She had a beautiful British accent that would remain irrevocable throughout her life in America. My grandfather had spent much time with Eddie before him and Venus had been introduced. When Venus and Earl finally met they were instantaneously smitten with each other, they fell for each other immediately. My grandfather would date my grandmother, and my great grandmother hesitantly gave permission. It was not so much about my grandfather’s race, but more so the recollection of her own experience with challenges she faced during her marriage to my great-grandfather. Being involved in an inter-racial marriage was fairly forbidden back then, let alone to having inter-racial children. She had been ridiculed, while often being gawked at. When they were little Venus and Eddie were teased as being “half castes” a not so nice term used to describe children who were mixed with two differing ethnicities . Quite frankly Mickey, did not want Venus to endure the same experiences. But Micky knew just as she, Venus would not listen. She endured every remark every stare, and so she advised Venus as best she could. She did not wish the same for Venus but she knew Venus possessed a strong resolve enough to get through the adversity. Love exists in all shapes and forms, colors. People often lament “sometimes you cannot help who you love. A Black American/Native American guitarist and a British/Chinese beauty, and both of them were in love.

It was a year after my grandparents were married. my mother was born. By this time, Venus had been moved out of her province and put into a Japanese internment camp with my grandfather near by. My mother was born inside of the Japanese internment camp, this being towards the end of World War II, in 1945. In the war's end, they contemplated how to move forward, since they were now married with a child, and it was my grandfather who made the decision to head back to the United states. In addition to people departing back to there provinces, countries and the like, my grandfather found jazz music and popular music in general was taking a turn. Perhaps with the onslaught of the electric guitar, my grandfather who had played so many years on a Gibson guitar, with amplifier, found it hard to stay relevant. He figured one they got back, he could follow his musical notoriety back in the US.

They boarded a Navy ship. An old photograph shot from an aerial view shows both my grandparents and my mom bundled up in a blanket cradled in Venus's arms as they set out towards Portland Oregon where my grandfather’s brother now resided. This was in fact, the original destination. Upon their departure from China, Mickey, as a mother would advise a young lady, left Venus with some advice. One piece in specific, was in regards to how she must behave while traveling to the US. Her behavior when boarding the boat, was to be nothing less than “lady like”, and she advised Venus not to wear shorts in the company of more than a few Sailor’s, or men in general. I am sure it must have soothed my grandfather when he realized the sailors who worked onboard, were far too busy cooing over my mother in all her infancy.

By the time they drifted into the San Francisco Bay, they were enamored. Passing under the Golden Gate bridge completely mesmerized by it's majestic beauty. The bay lulling the boat forward as the edge of the Peninsula slowly came into full view. This city, with it's undulating hills full of charisma and hope, romantically beckoning them to stay. Both my grandparents were accepting, and with no hesitation, they decided they would not get back onto the boat after it set back assail after the resting period. Here, they'd find their first home together in San Francisco.