PBS: Asian Americans Episode 1
The PBS Channel uploaded the first video of a weekly series about the history and culture of Asian American people. The documentary series first discusses the history between America and Asia through American Imperialism.
After America defeated Spain, it proceeded to annex other colonies before conquering the Philippines Island. After doing so, teachers and anthropologists went to the Island to study the people.
“As McKinley, President of the times says, ‘Y’know, its to save the little brown brothers.’” As well, during this time missionaries believed that it is their divine duty to civilize native populations.
A major issue with anthropology back then is that they believed certain races were inherently barbaric, and others (white race) were inherently enlightened. This was done so Americans could view themselves as superior to other people.
Despite this viewpoint, a lot of Asian immigrants who came to America played a crucial role in the development of the country.
One way this is seen is through the way that the Chinese Immigrants built the railroads. Originally, they came for the California Goldrush; however, they arrived too late. Instead, they worked on the railroad.
“They become known as a cheap source of labor willing to take on backbreaking work.” For some men, they would be paid $1 a day, and the food would be immediately deducted from that dollar. They would send the change to their village in China.
Although, Chinese were very important source of labor, people saw them as a threat. They depicted Chinese as evil, non-Christian pagans. This anti-Chinese movement lead to riots, lynching, and burning of Chinese people.
In 1882, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. This was the first act that banned a group of people from the country based on their race. Certain Chinese workers were allowed, such as teachers, students, travelers, and others.
“It then set in motion the requirement of immigration documents Chinese were required to hold on their person.” Furthermore, infrastructure was set in place that allowed the government to deport Chinese people that were in America illegally. Chinese immigrants became the first illegal immigrants.
Other issues came up as one school rejected a Chinese student from attending the school because of her race. As a result, the parents sued the school. The California Supreme Court ruled that they cannot exclude Chinese from schools, but they can segregate them.
Historian Erika Lee pointed out the negative consequences that came from deportation, exclusions, and other forms of discrimination.
“It is a history of always being in the shadow of always feeling unwelcome. We have to see all of these systems, Jim Crow Segregation, Asian Exclusion, as being interrelated.”
