Early Chinese Immigrant History and Legacies of Discrimination Vocabulary

Contemporary Analysis of Asian Americans

• In 2011, a white UCLA student posted a video complaining about Asian students.

• Jimmy Wong responded with a comedic parody song, "Ching Chong: Asians in the Library Song."

• The song challenges racial stereotypes and perceptions of Asians.

Video Analysis

• The video aims to challenge the negative stereotypes perpetuated by the UCLA student.

• It uses humor to address the issue of racial discrimination.

• Lyrics: "I know there's a lot of pain and hurt for such a big brain to spend all night studying polisci. I pick up my phone and say ching chong. It means I love you. Ling long, I really want you. Ting tong, I really don't know what that means. Ching chong, it's never ending. Ling long, my head is spinning. Ting tong, I still don't know what that means."

• Asks the question of how Asian Americans define themselves, their communities, and their history.

Orientalism

• Orientalism refers to how Europe views Asians as "the other"—not equal, but different.

• The video challenges this view through love and understanding.

Module Objectives

• Investigate the experiences of early Chinese immigrants to the U.S.

• Understand the roots of racial discrimination against Asian immigrants.

• Explore the lure of the "golden mountain" (economic opportunity) and the shame of discrimination.

The Chinese Massacre of 1871

• A race riot in Los Angeles where a mob of white individuals attacked, robbed, and murdered Chinese residents in Chinatown.

• Took place on Calle de los Negros (Negro Alley).

• Highlights how Chinese immigrants faced hatred and discrimination, similar to African Americans during the time of lynchings.

The Chinese Exclusion Act

• A United States federal law signed on May 6, 1882, by President Chester A. Arthur.

• Prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers.

• Marked the first time a specific racial group was targeted and prohibited from immigrating to the U.S.

Stereotypes of Asian Workers

• Asian workers were often seen as "coolies" or cheap labor who drove down wages and took away jobs.

• They were considered servile pawns of factory owners and greedy capitalists.

• This stereotype fueled violent anti-Asian movements and widespread discrimination.

• Low wages and long working hours led to exploitation of Asian laborers.

• Factory owners used Asian immigrants against American workers by blaming them for low wages, obscuring their own role in profit-making.

Exempt Classes and Resistance

• Exempt classes like merchants, students, teachers, diplomats, and travelers were allowed to enter or reenter the country.

• After protests, US citizens of Chinese descent and the wives/children of citizens and merchants were also allowed to apply for admission.

• Many immigrants came as merchants, business people, students and teachers

Yick Wo versus Hopkins (1886)

• The case became known as the first time the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause was used to strike down a law that was seemingly written to apply to everyone but ended up being unequally enforced.

• It became part of the foundation for dozens of other civil rights rulings in later decades.

• Chinese immigrants were unfairly prevented from establishing laundry businesses.

• They faced unequal treatment in obtaining permits compared to Caucasian Americans.

Sexual Danger and Moral Panic

• Arguments against Chinese immigrants often framed them as a sexual danger to the country.

• Chinese female prostitutes were accused of causing moral and racial pollution through interracial relationships.

• Chinese men were portrayed as luring innocent white women into dens of vice and depravity.

• Interracial marriage was prohibited, and Chinese immigrants were perceived as criminals threatening American society.

Contemporary Relevance

• Similar rhetoric and discrimination exist today against immigrants, mirroring historical patterns.

• Immigrants are often seen as a threat to American democracy or as criminals.

• Despite contributions as laborers, they are often victimized and considered "the other."

Chain Migration

• Immigrants often traveled to where they already had relatives or fellow villagers, leading to chain migration.

• Chinese immigrants spread throughout the U.S. and the world due to economic and political unrest in their homelands.

Legality vs. Morality

• Laws have historically prevented Asian immigrants from obtaining the American dream and treated them as second-class citizens.

• Legality is not a guide to morality; unjust laws must be challenged.

• Examples: "The Holocaust was legal. Hiding Jews was criminalized. Slavery was legal. Freeing slaves was criminalized. Segregation was legal. Protesting racism was criminalized."

Week 3 Assignments

• Forum post: Explain your thoughts on concepts from the readings, using quotes to support or challenge them.

• Small quiz on the readings.