in old Hollywood
Historical Discrimination
Asian Americans have been going on for centuries. They entered the country as early merchants and traders have entered the country since the early 1815s. However, today Asians still struggle to be seen as anything but the "other" and best case, the model minority.
1
From 1848: Gold Rush in California
Chinese migrated to the U.S hoping for "new possibilities" away from economic devastation back home after the opium war.
In 1852 the Foreign Miners Tax was imposed to non-Americans, charging them a tax of $3/month implemented to Chinese miners. This caused an increased targeted violence towards the Chinese, where it was reported by Alta California that 200 Chinese miners were robbed and 4 murdered.
The Chinese also quickly became scapegoats of blame over any problems (such as theft) forced by other camps.
2
1854: 'People v Hall'
California supreme court ruled individuals from Asian descent aren't allowed to testify against white persons.
*The case of George Hall v Ling Sing who is a Chinese Immigrant. Since the primary witness to the crime was Chinese and so they could testify
3
1871: "Chinese Massacre" in California
This event is triggered by 1 white man's death as he was caught in the middle of 2 rival Chinese group's altercation. More than 500 white and Hispanic rioters massacred 17 Chinese men and boys. At the end of the case there were only a handful of Rioters convicted, and even then their conviction were overturned.
4
1875: Page Act
Asian Women specifically Chinese women were prohibited from immigrating to US. The Act was released with the intention to prevent 'undesirable immigrants' from entering the country but it has been exploited to deny entrance to all Asian women. Those who attempt to enter would would be subjected to harsh interrogations and body searches. This caused significant decline and the gender ratio skewed significantly as less women want to risk the interrogations. Even married partners of male laborers aren't allowed to enter. The act was done to ensure that the Chinese won't build a family and stay in the United states as citizens. Coupled with the mid-1800s law that most west states had, preventing people from marrying outside their race in order to control the amount of Asian American families settling in the U.S. *It should be noted that this rule and treatment does not apply to European women.
5
1882: The Chinese Exclusion Act
The infamous Chinese Exclusion Act restricted Chinese immigration into the U.S and went on for 10 years. There were a lot of Whites blaming declining wages and economic problems to the Chinese. This caused the congress to pass the bill even though the Chinese only take up 0.002% of the nation's population. The law does not impact immigrating Europeans which further show the want to maintain 'white racial purity', excluding anyone who are "exotic" looking.
6
1892: Geary Act
This act extended the effects of the Chinese exclusion act by 10 more years. It required Chinese Residents residing in US to carry government issued "Certificates of Residence". If they are found to be without it, they will be subjected into deportation and hard labor. Bail is only offered if there is a credible White witness.
Only till 1943, during WW2 did Chinese immigrants get chance for citizenship, and the opportunity only opened up for political benefit with China.
7
1892-1954: Ellis Island
Ellis Island is the first immigration station in New York harbor. More than 12 million immigrants pass through that station.Those who go through could be detained for a day, weeks, or if you're lucky (and most likely not Asian) only a few hours. In the walls there are a lot of poetry and letters engrained on by the immigrants, telling the stories of their experience.
8
1924: Immigration Act of 1924
Under this act, there are limits placed on who can enter under "nationality quotas". The U.S issues immigration visas to 2% of total number of people within each nationality in the US at the 1890 census.
9
1924: Japanese Exclusion Provision
As an addition of the Immigration Act, there is a section specifically for the Japanese immigrants residing in the U.S. The Japanese exclusion was interesting because the Japanese migrants were feared over their success as individuals in foreign land and as a country, labeling them as dangerous in the eyes of Americans.
10
1941-1943: Anti-Japanese Propaganda
During the heights of World War 2, peaked during the Pearl Harbour attacks with heavy propaganda from each side.
In turn, in 1943 US repeated Chinese exclusion Act in hopes to counter racist propaganda claims by the Japanese.
11
1952: McCarran-Walter Act
The U.S grants citizenship for Japanese Americans in the war and in hopes to gain new war ally. Through the McCarren-Walter Act they changed the immigration quota even though it only made slight changes. This removed the racial barriers on Chinese and Japanese allowing them a bigger quota.
12
1965: Immigration and Naturalization Acts
Under the Hart-Celler Act, the quota system imposed is taken away. Under this new Act, it changes the immigrant demographic. The immigrant demographic changed from majority European into an increase of Asian, African, and Latin American demographic. Immigration criteria shifts to being based on reuniting immigrant families who are already in US and welcomed skilled labor.
Asian Americans
Throughout