LMU Loyola Law School’s deep ties with the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (SCCLA) came full circle last Tuesday, Feb. 4 when it hosted a conversation with founder Albert C. Lum, who urged future generations to speak out against racism, bias, and injustice.
The conversation centered on Lum’s recently published his memoir, “Stand Up and Be Counted,” about his life and experiences as a Chinese American attorney in the Civil Rights era. Lum was joined by Professor Nadine Tan, outgoing president of SCCLA, and Eugene Moy, president of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California. The conversation was moderated by SCCLA board member Ryan Urban ’20.
Tan praised Lum’s “vision, courage, and foresight” that have enabled SCCLA to thrive over the past 50 years. She noted that SCCLA members and past presidents have included federal district court judges, state and federal judges, court of appeals judges, and Big Law partners and associates.
Lum shared stories of feeling like an outsider throughout his life – from kids teasing him by pulling at the corners of their eyes to being the only Asian person at a table full of white lawyers at professional events. He began practicing in Los Angeles in the 1960s and co-founded SCCLA in 1975 to create a safe space for Chinese American lawyers in Los Angeles to join together and build a community. Lum practices business, real estate, and immigration law in Chinatown, working closely with local business owners.
Describing several moments in his life when he spoke up against racism – including suing the studio behind the 1985 movie “Year of the Dragon” for its racist portrayal of Chinese Americans, writing a complaint about a customs officer who asked him which village in China he was from (Lum was born in Arkansas), and fighting against redistricting laws that divided up Asian communities – Lum implored the younger generation to follow his example.
“We’re anxious for the new students to realize they’ve got to step out and be counted, not just in voting but whenever something appears that you think you have to speak out for, say it,” Lum said.
Tan encouraged students to draw inspiration from Lum’s outspoken advocacy as they look to develop their own professional identities, which ought to be one and the same as their personal identities and values.
“It’s important to surround yourself with people and opportunities where you can have these moments of reflection that help pull you away from the day-to-day stresses of your job and school and help you understand: What are the values of the profession, why am I spending so much time doing the work I’m doing, and how can I internalize these values as my own so there’s less of that misalignment between my values and my actions?” she said.