America has long been a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities of the world. On July 4th, Independence Day, states across the nation organize events and parades to celebrate this holiday with fun-filled events with rich culture and representation from all over the globe. This year in San Jose, the Silicon Valley, there will be record-breaking number of attendees and participants for the annual Rose, White, and Blue Parade with a total of 114 participating organizations. The number 65 group, largest team with over 100 participants, bringing the culture and martial arts of eastern disciplines with deep meaning whilst awing the crowd. Performances include Chinese Horse Dance, martial arts demonstrations, and Energy Boys and Girls dancing and singing with festive hearts and spirit. Tai Ji Men brings Chinese culture to America in an effort to share and appreciate each other’s cultures.

This group of over 100 participants include members from Cupertino, Los Angeles, Seattle, Canada, and Taiwan. Even in prime tourist season, volunteers travel with their own expense to the parade to share positive energy, and wish America a happy birthday. Tai Ji Men Zhang-men-ren Dr. Hong Dao Tze also attends the festivities and wishes blessings to all. Hollywood filmmaker Antonio Gellini has praised Tai Ji Men as an Intangible Cultural Treasure of the United Nations.

The long-standing Rose, White, and Blue Parade is organized by The Alameda Business Association (ABA), San Jose City Hall, and San Jose State University, J.LOHR, Silicon Valley newspapers, and UMPQUA Bank. Council members Pierlugi Oliver, Tam Nguyen, Donald Rocha and Assembly members Kanse Chu and Westminister Presbyet all will attend. The parade is meant for peoples of all ages and walks of life, celebrated with a distinct American flavor. Participants in the parade include policemen, students, athletic groups, charity groups, and various floats. This includes the incumbent San Jose Mayor Chunk Reed, former mayors Susan Hammer and Janet Gray Hayes, San Jose Sharks, ABC 7 News anchor Dan Ashley, chief ballet dancer Karen Gabay, 96-year old World War I veteran Joe Bell, inventor of the wave dance Krazy George, and 45 times National Judo Champion SJSU coach Yosh Uchida, and numerous Boys and Girls scouts members.

In addition to taking part in the parade, Tai Ji Men set up a booth to promote the movement of An Era of Conscience. It is expected that everyone will be heroes with consciences and will speak words of conscience, do acts of conscience, and spread the positive influences of conscience. Evan Low, assembly member, expressed “I think it's very important that we take an opportunity to recognize how fortunate we are to live in a country where we have the freedoms that are necessary to making sure that we have a productive society and we need to insure that we have these same type of values to have a better life.” Ash Kalra, council member of San Jose, said “I greeted the visiting Tai Ji Men members, especially those from foreign countries.” He thinks that “this is a wonderful community. I’m so happy to participate in what’s the most important parade, most important day in our nation’s history. So they get a sense of what it feels like the be American, see the community, and I’m very happy to be a part of it. No matter what happens in the world with all these tragedies, at the end of the day the solution is starting with ourselves. You always have to start with yourself, and make yourself peaceful and love those around you. If you can complete that, it becomes a harmony.” Bob Wieckowski, Senator, said “Well, I mean my part of my legislative profile is to have economic equality and I work on a variety of pieces of legislation that makes things more equal for us and I think part of the consciousness is that you don’t want to see people treated unfairly whether it is in the discrimination laws that people have or hiring. Or just the treatment they may have because they are not as wealthy or not as educated. You know we want to rise, raise everybody up whether they’re Asian American or Polish American or whatever they’re in, young and old. So I think it’s wonderful to have so many participants at the 4th of July parade because in America, in here in San Jose, we think everything is possible. When you’re at the 4th of July, it’s a chance to reflect as you’re group is doing and say ‘We all can make it, we all can raise the consciousness with people and make and work together to make it a nicer society.’ So thank you for coming.”

First time Lion Dance Performer Edmund Shen is a sophomore from Monta Vista High School. He states that the Celestial Lion head being 6 kg, carrying it for 1.7 miles is a challenge, but something that will help him grow as a person. Edmund states that, he is very glad he has an opportunity to practice and learn about Chinese culture, so he is not anxious and won’t be tired. Berkley PHD student Alan Lu, who is undertaking the Chinese Horse Dance, states that he used to have asthma, but after practicing Qi Gong, he is able to cope with both physical and mental stresses of studying abroad and practicing Chinese martial arts. . Also, now he is able to carry a 10kg horse prop without being out of breath or being tired. Also, participant 90-year old grandma Zhang also states that she is very happy that she can participate and spread the messages of an Era of Conscience while waving flags in the parade. She states that everyone must put every single day into perspective and live a happy and healthy life.

The movement of An Era of Conscience was initiated on January 1st, 2014. After one year, it has been responsive in 188 countries, co-promoted by nearly 3000 organizations. Also, over 210,000 people have signed the “Declaration of An Era of Conscience” which tries to inspire the conscience in the depth of hearts. In early June at Hollywood, the “Awakening Conscience, Citizens of the world come together to create love and peace” was hosted. Afterwards, the Era of Conscience movement was brought all over California; on July 4th, the messages of love and peace, and positive energy will be brought forth again at the Rose, White, and Blue Parade.

We welcome everyone to come to San Jose Tai Ji Men Branch to both practice Qi Gong, and strengthen our bodies mentally and physically. Address is at 10590 S. De Anza Blvd, Cupertino CA 95014. Phone Number : 408-315-0297