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MUMBLINGS February 10, 2005
Everybody calls her "Seven." Born in northern China, her
real name is Wang Caiwen.
Twelve years ago she came to Bay Minette, and was
introduced to me by her Chinese name, which sounded like "Seven." Thus, that's
what she has been called since. A popular, small, intelligent, 30ish looking
Chinese lady (but actually is 52, and doesn't look it) has been well received
and loved here among hundreds of people.
The Bay Minette Industrial Development
Board persuaded the Chinese to put an assembly plant here in Bay Minette and
she came over with several men who established the electronic company. Sales
were good but because, at that time, it was difficult to get parts for the
complicated machinery, it was not successful. While here, she joined a
Leadership Class of the University of South Alabama and Baldwin County United.
Also, she volunteered at the Bay Minette Public Library.
Seven went back to China at the end of six
years but returned to Bay Minette the following summer and was employed by
Standard Furniture Company in the Merchandising Department. She has been with
them since, becoming an important person in their operations. Standard is a
hugely successful furniture company employing 1,300 people in Bay Minette and
Frisco City. They buy much of their furniture from various countries including
China, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc. It is easily understood why she is important
because she speaks about 14 different languages, including 10 dialects of
Chinese.
Along with a group of other Standard
people, she goes back to China three or four times a year to work with
factories there. She can naturally converse with them in person as she does by
telephone. While there, she has the opportunity to visit her family, a husband,
one son, two sisters and her parents.
Actually, Ms. Wang is very personable,
outgoing and pleasant. She achieved one of her main goals recently when she
became an American citizen. To give you an idea of her intelligence and
determination, she went to Atlanta where she took a two-hour examination by
Uncle Sam's people to become a U.S. citizen. The lady in charge said she
answered everything perfectly, meaning 100% and because of this, she did not
have to take a written test that is given to most applicants. She was
immediately sworn in as an American.
Probably not one person in 50 could pass
the exam, because they ask such questions as "Which amendment gave black males
the privilege of voting?" Answer: 16th. Or "Which amendment made all women
eligible to vote?" Answer: 19th.
"What was the Boston Tea party all about
and when did the Revolutionary War start?" Answer: 1787, & taxation without
representation. "Who was the main enemy of Uncle Sam in WWI?" Answer: Germany.
"WWII?" Answer: Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Now, as an American citizen, she can get
her husband and son over here.
When she was 16 years old and was in the
ninth grade, there was a "Cultural Revolution" in China. Her father was
arrested for political reasons and served three years in prison. At this time,
Seven was ordered to quit school and was sent to a farm for six years to be
"re-educated," which meant hard labor. She worked in rice fields and was hungry
all the time.
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