If you look at a picture of Bill Lee, he appears like anyone else in our lives. But to know Bill Lee through his book, "Chinese Playground", is to know an Asian American who is living an extraordinary life.

Bill's self-published memoir sheds some light on a past few would be envious of, with moments of hope and what some might call "divine intervention". From his early childhood involvement with the gangs of San Francisco, to the traumatizing events of Silicon Valley, Bill comes across as a man whose battle with demons has been on many fronts.

"Chinese Playground" ranges from both graphically detailed, to sketchy recollections of the events that shaped Bill's life. The result, however, is a cohesive transition of just how tenuious one's time on earth can be. In writing the book, Bill's personal sacrifices are well documented. Bill doesn't write with a sense of pretense nor glorification of the sorted history of Asian gangs in America. Nor does he preach or claim to know the answers for the dark side of troubled youth. However, he does offer a compelling view of arrested development, violence (both random and deliberate) and the consequences of such behavior.

A-Profiler strongly supports "Chinese Playground" as an amazing insight of one man who represents the growing "nation within a nation" of Asian underground youth culture. Please join us in learning why not all playgrounds are for children anymore.

With the popularity of “Asian Gangster” Movies, what is your opinion of violence in the media and how we are represented? Do you feel Asian Gang violence is sensationalized?

There is definitely a mystique regarding Asian gangsters and moviegoers generally eat it up. Unfortunately, we’re misrepresented because very few people (Asians included) understand the subculture of Asian organized crime and its toxic affect on the community. The public has simply come to associate tongs and triads with a dark, secretive world within the Chinese culture involving international criminals armed with automatic weapons and acrobatic prowess. The resulting paradox is a perception of Asians as the “model minority” who are academically motivated, hardworking, with strong family traditions on one spectrum; on the other end, we harbor gun-toting criminals involving snakeheads and underworld elders named “Uncle Benny.” So yes, Asian gang violence is sensationalized, due to ignorance and stereotyping.

What are some of your future goals, or what do you hope to accomplish from now? Will there be another book in the future?

Due to the fact that “Chinese Playground” was self-published -- a lot more work needs to be done promoting and distributing the book. There has also been interest in the film rights to the story. I haven’t committed to another writing project, with the exception of articles and literary reviews. Memoirs are extremely difficult to write and I’m still recovering from the task.

How has writing the book changed your life? For better or worse?

Writing “Chinese Playground” forced me to face my demons in the most intense fashion and it was very emotional. There were many consecutive nights of violent nightmares. Yet, The opportunity to reach out to others and inspire them by sharing my story and taking responsibility for my past makes the effort worthwhile.

The notoriety as a result of the book has created new challenges. Yet, that comes with the territory. When you reveal your life to the world, there is no turning back.

Since the release of the book, have you been in contact with any of your former connections? What was the result?

Many of the people I knew and grew up with in Chinatown pledged their life to the underworld and continue to function in that environment. Believe it or not, that’s where they feel connected and secure. Over the years, I’ve read about some of them in the news.

Former associates of mine did pay me a visit when the book was released and threats were made. They assumed I was the same person they could control and intimidate. They were wrong. As a result, they drew unwanted attention to themselves from a number of law enforcement agencies. I’m not convinced they read the book in its entirety. If they did, it would be obvious the details on them could have been much more incriminating.

What was the reaction of the community and your family from your book? Or did a majority of people know about your book being written?

The book was announced as front-page features in AsianWeek and the San Francisco Examiner just prior to its release. Up to that point, very few individuals knew of the project. In relation to my mother and siblings, I have not had contact with them for many years.

“Chinese Playground” has generated considerable controversy in the community. Many felt we shouldn’t air our dirty laundry out in the public, and that I acted dishonorably. What they don’t realize is that denial and secrecy accentuate the problems. An independent survey conducted a few years ago in San Francisco Chinatown revealed that the two major concerns folks have are gambling and youth gangs. Many others have offered their support of the book, including teens who state that they identify with my story and it had a positive impact on them.

Is there a lot of affiliation between the Asian Gangs of San Francisco and organizations in other geographic Chinatowns (New York, Boston, etc.)?

First, we need to distinguish between local street gangs which are loosely affiliated versus those that are organized and backed by traditional underworld elements. Law enforcement intelligence on Asian organized crime has come a long way and they’re quite informed on gangs, operating not only across the U.S., but throughout the world. Major Tongs have been established in large Chinese communities since the mid-1800s.

In the underworld, it’s understood that an established group in a particular region who may not have the upper hand when it comes to muscle would not hesitate to bring in outside help when necessary. During the gang wars in San Francisco in the ’60s and ’70s, hit-men who were brought in from out-of-state by the Tongs to come after us.

What was your experience regarding gang interaction between different ethnic groups? (Italians, Russian Mob)?

In general, lack of trust and racism has been an obstacle. Nonetheless, there have been ties established between Chinese and other ethnic criminal groups. Convicts of different races also develop alliances in the state and federal prison system which their associates on the outside cultivate.

Which Asian youths may be susceptible to organized gang affiliations? What are the signs?

Quite frankly, any Asian youth is susceptible to the allure of gangs. Organized gangs recruit heavily in middle and high schools, exploiting the turbulent adolescent period. Dai los (gang bosses) offer Asian male teens a false sense of empowerment, providing an escape from family, school and peer pressures.

Many Asian teens will turn to “banging” as a way of rebelling against the stereotype of being hard-working, academically gifted, and respectful of their parents. In school, being “connected” and feared sure beats being labeled a nerd or wimp.

In families where both parents are working long hours and where gambling, alcohol and physical abuse occurs, there is increased likelihood of problems developing. It gets to the point where children become overwhelmed with secrets.

I see many instances in Asian households where there is lack of mutual respect and communication between parents and teens. Parents regard honor and respect from their children as entitlements. They assume that as long as they’re working hard and providing for the family, everything will be fine. The ability to listen and respect their children, especially teens, is nonexistent.

What are the signs? Well, although change in appearance, friends, extracurricular school activities, grades, and so on are all typical in teens, an Asian teen being indoctrinated into an organized gang will show signs of gambling, drug use, violence, access to money and firearms, cell phone, and most importantly, the Dai Lo (gang boss). An older male companion who is calling at all hours and providing transportation should raise flags.

What can family members do to intervene when a child shows signs of gang involvement?

This is a very complex issue and each situation needs to be assessed individually. In general, parents should follow their instincts and not wait until the school or police calls. Parents need to make intervention their top priority, above their careers and everything else. Assume that you’re fighting for your child’s life. Work with their teachers and other school administrators. Counselors and law enforcement personnel (organized gang specialists) should also be consulted. Essentially, you’re putting together your own SWAT team. You’ve got to find some way to reconnect with the teen. If they’re committing crimes, don’t become their “enabler,” covering for or protecting them.

Sending a Asian teen gang member away to live with friends or relatives (or moving the entire family) may resolve the crisis. But they may run away or if the new location is another metropolitan city (with an established Chinatown), they will simply hook up with an affiliated group.

How do you recommend reaching out to at-risk youths?

Don’t lecture -- instead, listen to them and try to see through their tough facade. Understand that in their world, there’s no room to be sad and scared. Respect what they have to say, even if you don’t agree. Be a good role model. Provide diversions and alternatives for them. It will not be an overnight transformation. Drawing them away from the thrills of gang life isn’t easy. The gang becomes their adopted family. Don't expect their dai lo to let them go easily.

When I speak with at-risk youths, I’m aware that what I share may not have an immediate impact on them. I can only hope that it will make a difference later. If telling my story stops even one youth from pulling the trigger of a gun, then it was all worthwhile.