Our Collective American Dream – Congressional Candidate Connie Chan and Our Moment

By Diana Ding

This morning, at the 5th U.S. Chinese American Convention in Las Vegas, something extraordinary happened. It wasn’t simply a campaign speech. It wasn’t even a political event. It was a moment that reminded many of us why hope still matters.

As San Francisco Supervisor and congressional candidate Connie Chan walked onto the stage, the room grew quiet.

She didn’t begin with applause lines or political slogans. Instead, she spoke from the heart. “This is our moment as a Chinese community.” Those eight words changed the atmosphere in the room.

She reflected on the difficult years Chinese Americans have endured—from the rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic to the growing challenges of misunderstanding and division. Yet her message was not about fear. It was about resilience.

“We are strong,” she said. “Because we are united.” Then she shifted the conversation from today’s challenges to tomorrow’s possibilities. She explained that her campaign is not simply about winning a congressional seat. It is about making sure the next generation knows they belong.

She wants every young Chinese American to one day stand in Washington, D.C., and confidently say: “This is my Capitol.” “This is my Washington.” “This is my future.” That vision resonated deeply throughout the room.

One statement especially captured everyone’s attention: “If you’re not at the table, you’ll be on the menu.” Representation, she reminded us, is never symbolic. It shapes education. Economic opportunity. Small businesses. Civil rights. And ultimately, the future our children inherit.

What moved me most, however, wasn’t only her speech. It was the audience. Community leaders from across the United States had gathered in Las Vegas. Many were not from San Francisco. Many could not vote for Connie Chan. Yet they came to support her because they saw something larger than a local campaign. They saw possibility. They saw a future in which Chinese Americans are not merely participating in American democracy—but helping shape it.

Looking around the room, I saw young elected officials in their twenties. College students. Entrepreneurs. Community organizers. Their eyes never left the stage.

At that moment, I realized something profound. Hope can be contagious. One leader inspires a generation. That generation inspires the next.

Connie Chan’s own journey reflects the story of countless immigrant families. Born in Hong Kong, she arrived in San Francisco at the age of thirteen with her mother and younger brother. Her family lived in a rent-controlled apartment in Chinatown while her mother worked tirelessly and attended classes to build a better future.

Rather than pursuing an easier path after college, Connie dedicated herself to public service. She volunteered as a legal interpreter, organized communities, advocated for underserved families, and worked in local and state government before eventually being elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Perhaps that is why her words carried such authenticity. She wasn’t speaking as a politician. She was speaking as the daughter of immigrants. As a mother. As someone whose own life had been transformed by opportunity—and who now hopes to preserve that opportunity for others. Several months ago, I attended one of Connie’s early campaign events with friends including Dr. Ken Fong, Dennis Wu, and Joel Wong.

Even in that short time, I have watched her grow. She remains humble. She remains soft-spoken. Yet today, her conviction has become unmistakably powerful. She is no longer simply running for Congress. She is becoming one of the voices of a new generation of Chinese American leadership.

As I left the ballroom, one thought stayed with me. The American Dream has never been only about success. It has never been only about buying a home or building wealth.

The American Dream is also this: A thirteen-year-old immigrant girl can one day stand before a national audience and tell thousands of people that they belong. That they have a voice. That they have a future. And perhaps that is why this morning felt so different. It wasn’t simply about one candidate. It wasn’t simply about one election.

It was about an entire community beginning to believe that our future is not something we wait for. It is something we help build. If one person’s courage can awaken the courage of many… If one generation’s perseverance can open doors for the next… Then perhaps this morning in Las Vegas will be remembered as more than a speech.

Perhaps it will be remembered as the moment many Chinese Americans began to believe, once again, that the American Dream belongs to us, too.