Curtis Chin’s new memoir chronicles life lessons learned in a Chinese restaurant

Curtis Chin, a multifaceted talent known for co-founding the Asian American Writers' Workshop and his work as a filmmaker and social justice advocate, is about to unveil a deeply personal and illuminating chapter of his life in his upcoming memoir, "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant." The book, scheduled for release on Oct. 17, paints a vivid portrait of the Detroit that was and the restaurant that anchored a community, shedding light on the invaluable life lessons that sprang from this unique corner of the Motor City.
Nestled at the crossroads of Cass Avenue and Peterboro Street, Detroit's once-thriving Chinatown, a bustling hub of culture and community, held countless cherished memories. One long-standing meetup location in the neighborhood was Chung's Restaurant, which stood for over six decades as a gathering place for an eclectic array of patrons. For Chin, however, it was more than his family’s restaurant. It was there that Chin, an American-born Chinese man, learned to navigate the intricate facets of his identity.
Structured around the very menu that graced the tables of Chung's, "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant" invites readers to grow up alongside Chin, embracing his experiences, his identity, and the profound life lessons he garnered from this remarkable place-a place where perhaps even the "secret menu" of life's wisdom is shared.
One Detroit senior producer Bill Kubota and contributor Chien-An Yuan spoke with Chin about the lessons he learned growing up in a Chinese restaurant, what Detroit’s Chinatown looked like at its peak in the 1980s, and the history of Chinese communities in Detroit, including their connection the Vincent Chin case.
Episode 815/Segment 2
Watch "One Detroit" Monday and Thursday on Detroit Public TV at 7:30p ET. Or catch the daily conversations on our website at OneDetroitPBS.org, Facebook at / onedetroit , Twitter at / onedetroitdptv and Instagram @One.Detroit.