Mobilized by the newly-formed Sharon Chinese Association through a series of well-organized open forums, the Chinese American community awakens to vote in the annual town election on May 17th of 2016 in large groups. Here are a few of them.

You can find passionate supporters for almost all candidates especially those for the selectmen and the school committee (some illustrated here by the signs). “Our success is participation” is the overwhelming sentiment within the group that expressed boundless interest in future town affairs of all levels and occasions.

With about two dozen languages spoken in town, Sharon values diversity. The surprisingly high turnout of Chinese Americans was well received by the town and noted by many residents with one describing it as the largest he has seen since moving to town 18 years ago.
As with any voting, part of the community is jubilant while the others heartbroken. But the community quickly came together (on line) and put things into perspective through heated discussions lasting more than a full day. Overall, the community expressed optimism of the town going forward with a strong desire to promote transparency of governance and shrewdness of capital expenditure through active participation in town activities.

Here are a few poems composed by the world-class poets of the community responding to a call of the editor for a series with the common title “I have a vote!”.