AAS121 Week 5 Presentation_final

8/12/2019 AAS121 Week 5 Presentation_final

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Week 5

Development of the ChineseAmerican Society

Nasim Barzanian, Jason Huang, JoyceLiao, Annie Lin, & Annie Wong

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Chinese Americans and

the Politics of Race andCultureBy Sucheng Chang & Madeline Y. Hsu

Chapter 1:

History as Law and Life: Tape vs. Hurley and

the Origins of the Chinese American

Middle Class

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Transnational research focuses on immigrants

Scholars beginning to consider the impact of

transnational migrant culture on the

American-born generation

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Introduction


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Tape vs. Hurley 1885 civil rights case

California Supreme Court ruled that Chinese

children could not be excluded from public schoolson account of race

Many drew similarities with the Plessy v. Ferguson

case

Definitely marked a turning point in the status of the

Chinese in California and in the lives of the

members of the Tape family

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Rise of Brokering Class

Broker: interstitial subject, who translates and

facilitates transactions between two cultures

Arguably the first hyphenatedChinese

Americans Held a special premium in the segregated and

marginalized community of Chinese immigrants

Exclusion generated a robust market for selling

fake ids, coaching books, bribing immigration

inspectors, etc

Corruption became not limited to only the

Chinese but involved Euro-Americans as well

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Changes in Society

English-language instruction linked to the goal of

conversion and to the missionarieshopes of

recruiting native Christians for missionary work inChina (however, rate of conversion was low.)

Provided limited resources for a separate Chinese

School since the Chinese were not allowed in

evening school

However, schools were very successful since Chinese

in American were motivated to learn English so that

they could get along in the new society

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Racial Animosity Still Grew Cheap labor

Fueled mob violence, the expulsion of Chinese

workers from many manufacturing jobs, and a

hardening of residential segregation

Tape v. Hurley signaled an important shift in the

status of the Chinese, for it had in effect

recognized their presence and elevated them to

the status of African Americans and American

Indians

Distinguished between exclusion as a policy goal

and presence as a social fact

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Chapter Conclusions

Protested and profited from the discrimination

against their co-ethnics

Brokers were esteemed and mistrusted by Chinese

immigrants and Euro-Americans alike, their loyaltiesdoubted on all sides

Brokers loyalty was to his own survival and

advancement

Existence derived from the persistence of exclusionand segregation

Brokers definitely gave some of the processes that

helped shape class formation and social organization

in early Chinese America

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The Chinese in AmericaBy Iris Chang

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Chapter 10:

Work and Survival in the Early

Twentieth Century


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Political Unrest in Late 19th

Century China

1895: First Sino-Japanese War

Treaty of Shimonoseki: China ceded to Japan part of

Manchuria, four ports, Taiwan and the Pescadores Chinese Opposition Against Corrupt Qing

Government

The Revolutionaries: Overthrow the Qing regime

The Reformers: Change the Qing through policy

reform

1898: Hundred DaysReform Movement

Baohuanghui (Protect the Emperor Society)

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Sun Yat-sen & theKuomingtang (KMT)

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1896, London: Botched Kidnapping & Worldwide

Sensation

Re-launched revolutionary movement

October 10, 1911: End of Manchurian Rule

KMT (National Peoples Party): the Republic of China

KMT mirrored American democracy, and

established local chapters across China

Suns Three Peoples Principal inspired by Lincolns

Gettysburg Address Nationalism

Democracy

Peoples livelihood

1912: Suns Resignation & End of KMT Rule


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Cultural Limbo

Chinese Exclusion Acts & political unrest in China

creates split lives and cultural identities

Chinese in Agriculture

1913 Alien Land Act: Barred aliens ineligible for citizenship from

owning land, even if they could afford to buy it.

Notable Chinese Immigrants in Agriculture

Chun Afong

Thomas Foon Chew

Chinese in Restaurants 1920: About of all US Chinese Laborers worked in Restaurants

Reinventing Chinese cuisine for the American palate

Chinese in Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbalist in high demand in the late 19th C.early 20th C.

American Medical Establishment vs. Chinese Medicine

12Early 20th Century ChineseAmericans


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Chinese in Retail Trade

Chinese-owned stores- controlling the grocery industry

Pros: Little competition

Cons: Dealing with dishonest suppliers, complaining customers,

and thieves

Chinese in the Laundry Business Appealed to immigrant as the fastest way to establish own

business

Required little start-up capital and skill; low operating costs

Chinese Slavish Work Ethic

Determined to provide a better life for family back home

Remittances transformed entire regions of Guangdong

Glorified image of led relatives to believe they were wealthy

merchants and moguls

Relatives made ridiculous demands and pressured for more

money

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The Chinese in AmericaBy Iris Chang

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Chapter 11:

A New Generation Is Born


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The Chinese-American Family

1906-1924: Only about 150 Chinese women legally

permitted to enter USImmigration Act of 1924: Prohibited entrance of foreign-

born Asian women

Families formed within the merchant & entrepreneur class

ABCs

Education in the US

Confucian ideologies & hope for a better life for children

Education represented status, financial security and

success (e.g. Medicine, engineering, scientists)

Segregation in schools- Separate but equal 1871-1885: Chinese children were the only racial group

to be denied a state-funded education

White Envy

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Racial & Cultural Identity

Chinese-American Identity

Pride in heritage; Informal ambassadors of China

Some grew to hate everything Chinese; insecure

about self-image

Some in rural areas simply viewed themselves as white

Struggles in the Home

Chinese parents shielded their children, especially daughters, from

western influences

Second-generation girls endured strict upbringing and household

chores; while the boys were free to play

Many children forced to work at a young age to help support family

Maintaining Language & Culture

First wave immigrants eager to instill Chinese culture and

language

End of 1920s: Some 50 Chinese elementary schools and half

dozen high schools existed in the West

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Racial & Cultural IdentityContd.

American Pop Culture

ABCs drawn to American pop culture, new

ideas/values beyond the reach of parental control Missionaries established Chinatown churches which

encouraged cultural assimilation

Shift Toward American Esthetics & Values

Chinese costumes/skullcapsCropped hair andWestern clothes

Chinese American women independent and assertive

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Chinese American Women

Education

Daughters of most working-class families werent

educated past primary school

Post WWI- introduction of compulsory education permitted

girls to attend high school; College remained out of reach for

most

Employment

ABC women took on jobs in gift shops and local

Chinatown businesses

Sexism & Race

Viewed as docile and hardworking Asian costumes to capitalize on their physical appearance

Early 20thC. - Emergence of female Chinese American

professional class

Teaching, nursing, library science

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Chinese American Women Contd.

Romance & Marriage

Enormous pressure to place family above career

Many subjected to arranged marriages brokered by parents

Western romance denied by traditional Immigrant parents

1910: SF Chinatown teenagers defied parents by publically

spooning

Group dating and social activities sponsored by Western

organizations (e.g. YMCA)

Chinese Brides vs. Chinese American Brides

Expatriation Act of 1907: Forced all women to adopt their

husbands nationality upon marriage

1922 Cable At: Any woman who married an alien ineligible fornaturalization would relinquish her own US citizenship

Many native Chinese men horrified and intimidated by 2ndgeneration Chinese womens liberation in American society

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Remaking ChineseAmerica

By Xiaojian Zhao

Chapter 2:

Gender and Immigration

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Male Emigration

The Chinese preferred to send male

children over female children to the United

States

Patriarchal culture

Easier to find employment

More opportunities/less discrimination Economic investment

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Male Emigration Contd.

Boys were sent to expand the Chinese American

community in the US during the exclusion exclusion

was not a success because of family/friend group efforts

to find ways around the discriminating immigration laws.

Example: Lew Chuck Suey family

First child was a girl, next two children were boys but

the oldest and youngest children had 11 years age

difference; had reported daughter as a son, but since

he was only allowed to sponsor male children, hebrought his nephew alone instead.

This is how Chinese families helped each other to

create foundations for different family names in

America.

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Legal Restrictions to WomenSponsoring Alien Spouses and

Children 1855:Married Women Lawalien women got U.S. Citizenship

when married to a U.S. citizen.

1907: Expatriation Actany American women who marries a

foreigner takes on their nationality. Only regain American citizenship if they divorce.

1920: Women gain the right to vote, began fighting for

amendment of 1907 Act.

1922: Cable ActWomenscitizenship became

independent of their husbandsnationality, but if they

married someone ineligible for citizenship they had to forfeit

their own as well.

1924: Immigration ActImmigrants born in the U.S. who had

lost their citizenship were considered to be born in the

country where they are a citizen.

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Roles/Importance of Women inChina

Women had to stay in China while their husbands were

overseas.

Had to do all the labor back home, raise familiesvery difficult

even with financial support sent from the U.S. Lack of law enforcement left women susceptible to rape,

robbery, and kidnapping.

Although they were not allowed to go to the U.S., their role

of supporting families back home and even becomingbread winners was crucial to the development of the

Chinese American community in the U.S.

Gender-selective immigration was crucial to the

development of the Chinese American ethnic community.

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The Beginning of LegalAmendments for Women

1930: Cable Act rescinded, U.S. born Chinese women

had the right to independent nationality

1934: Roosevelt signed Equalization Billchildren born

outside of the U.S. could also become citizens if their

mothers were U.S. citizens, but had to enter the country

before age 18.

1945: War Brides Actwomen serving in the army could

also send for their family members 1946: Chinese Alien Wives of American Citizens Act

women spouses could enter the United States

No mentioning of male spouses, meaning that the laws still

regulated women sponsoring dependents.

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Unbound FeetBy Judy Yung

Can be fully accultured but never fully assimilated becauseassimilation is a two way street

Chapter 3:Introduction: Chinese American Women

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Upbringing As second generation women tried to become

Americanized, their newly adopted lifestyle often

clashed with their cultural upbringing at home.

Chinese women were meant to be sheltered - housewives

and mothers. Obedient to their parents and remain close to

home.

Two different accounts: one daughter (second-generation)

had to go against will to become free. Another daughter

(also second-generation) was free to do what she wanted

but mother wished her to stay at home and marry.

Most took accommodation route:

defined their own ethnic and gender identity

selectively adopting a bicultural lifestyle that allowed them to

enjoy what they felt was the best of two worlds.

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Schooling Could not attend same schools as Whites because

of discrimination.

Different School for Chinese Americans -> Oriental Public

School was much worse than other public schools. Chinese

went to court to question and lost.

When Chinese were finally allowed to sit in same school as

Whites, they were not accepted by white classmates or

teachers.

Because of racism, sexism and lack of money, many

Chinese women were not able to get a better education in

1920s.

Though some were better educated than first generation,

because of discrimination in labor market, it didnt

necessarily mean better jobs.

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Jobs Shocked that women were allowed to work like

common laborers. Should be worried about getting

married first.

Increased unemployment for professional women who

graduated from higher education because of racism and

sexism. Had to find job within Chinese firms.

Similar to black professional women.

Chinese women could not become doctors because considered

to be mens work

Alternative was to seek work in China. Educated in America

go back to China.

Despite discrimination, Chinese American women managed

to earn enough to support themselves and help out families.

In opposition to the cultural upbringing at home and into

public arena, giving them more push until American

consumerism and modern living.

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Social Life

Most Chinese women were not, even within

Chinese community, allowed to do anything. First

sign of this changing was allowing Chinese women

to enter beauty pageants.

Chinese girls became accultured through Christianorganizations such as the Chinese YWCA: wide range of

services and groomed its members for civic duty.

Square and Circle Club: American practice of democracy by

establishing bylaws that stipulated equal and active

participation from members. Established Friendship Fund

which helped young women with money for use.

These women clubs once started as Protestant institution, but

then once started, religion ceased to be a binding force.

Kept alive by increasing Chinese women population.

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Political Arena

Compared to their mothers, second generation women

played relative active political rolebecame involved

in both Chinese and US politics.

Dont know which to have allegiance In America, laughed upon so want to go back to China. But

owe America for principles of liberty and equality; protection

of its government and education.

Voting! Once gained suffrage, many women exercisedright to vote. However, only 40% eligible were registered

and only 25% voted.

Small steps to political activism. WWII to motivate second

generation to participate more fully in American politics.

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Marriage

Sexism at home and racism outside affected themarriages and family of second generation women.

Second generation reluctance to marry to harsh lives of

mothers or need for daughters to delay marriage to help out

family (like Irish women)

Prior to 1911 revolution, marry off women to get more money toprovide family.

After, second generation, resisted arranged marriages.

Adopted Western practices of courtship and free marriage.

Cable actanti miscegenation attitudes. Anti-miscegenation

act -> both racist and sexist and created hardships for ChineseAmerican women already hampered by cultural conflict at

home.

Some major reason for divorce by women is wife abuse and

polygamy.

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Supplementary

Readings

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Him Mark Lai, Genny Lin & Judy

Yung. Island: Poetry and History

Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island,1910-1940

Before the establishment of Angel Island, immigrants

were detained in a two-story shed

Angel Island was controversial

The conditions were unsanitary and unfit for habitation

Expensive to house the immigrants

Members of the YMCA frequently visited the Island andshowed movies, taught English, provided newspapers

and recreational equipment to help pass the time and

alleviate depression

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Him Mark Lai, Genny Lin & Judy

Yung. Island: Poetry and History

Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island,

1910-1940

The poems are reminders to Chinese Americans

who would not be here today were it not forthese predecessorspioneering spirit

Poetry was also a testimony to the indignity they

suffered coming here

Writing was also a way to disseminate their

message to fellow prisoners and a form of protest

against the authorities.

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Wing Chung Ng, The Chinese in

Vancouver, 1945-80: The Pursuit of

Identity and Power

Goal: explain the differential constructions of Chinese

identity within the local context of Vancouver, while

attending to the effects of relevant Canadian statepolicies and the transnational ties of the ethnic Chinese

with China and their specific home areas.

Vancouver is home to the largest ethnic Chinese

population in Canada Chinese voluntary associations were vehicles for the

articulation of interests

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Victor & Brett Nee, Longtime

Californ: A Documentary Study of

an American Chinatown

Chinatown was low-income level of the community

Overcrowded, poor, medical services were limited,

conspicuous number of unemployed men Chinese Six Companies, liberals and radicals

Establishment between leaders and social workers for

control of antipoverty program

Development of youth rebellion and exploding

juvenile crime

Radical students from nearby colleges that rallied

against Six Companies

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Chinatown does not exist in isolation from the larger

society around it; that, in fact, every aspect of its life bears

influence of this relationship with the outside.

American context played the dominant role in the

community

Chinatown was not a microcosm of Chinese society on

American soil, but a unique American community withhistory and language and institution of its own that

reflects growing inner-city ghettos of American cities.

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Bachelors Society- composed of immigrant male

laborers who dominated Chinatown during the 19th

century Chinatown has grown beyond its old borders, now

spilling into North Beach and Nob Hill

Satellite Chinatowns include Sunset and Richmond

Those who lived in the satellites often came toChinatown to shop, attend church, entertain friends

over a banquet, or attend functions of family associates.

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Many houses are antiquated-- rickety electric wiring

system, no natural light

Ping Yuen housing was established for those who fellinto the lower income brackets

Northeast Hospital was the first major medical facility

established in Chinatown

Children in Chinatown attend American public schoolsbut attend Chinese schools on the weekend

Eight Christian churches and one Buddhist church in

Chinatown

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Chinese Gold: Monterey

Monterey was a fishing village

Monterey Peninsula became a touristsattraction

Added buffalo to look more exotic

Point Alones: sheltered cove, sloping sandy beach,

open ground for drying fish, and small wharf

Schools and churches were established

The Chinese villages were tourist attractions becauseof their exoticness

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Chinese Gold: Watsonville

By 1874, Watsonvilles Chinatown had grown to ten

buildings, and incorporated the addition of a

slaughter house, several gambling houses, and at least one

opium den

As labor-intensive crops expanded, the Chinese population

became less transient and more permanent

Chinatown was surrounded by white-owned businesses

Built inside the existing Chinatown by constructing atop of existing

buildings and rising new structures between existing buildings

New Chinatown was constructed due to minor conflict

Chinatown would move from the corner of Maple and Union to asite across Pajaro River

Chinese worked in the beet fields

Organization of Chinatown

Three tier (bottom up) : individual Chinese, societies, and the

Chinese (Benevolent) Association

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Chinese Gold: Santa Cruz

Most Chinese worked as domestic servants and cooks

More servants than other Monterey regions because

manufacturing business resulted in a more substantial

middle class

Paid more than their white counterparts

Good relationship with their white family employers

Chinatowns did not have a life of their own

The queue was a sign of acculturation, if a Chinese

removed his queue, it meant he was not likely to return

to China

A fire that ripped through SC Chinatown tore apart the

Chinese community

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San Francisco Municipal Report:1884-1885

It had been conceded and was unquestioned that this

(Chinatown) portion of the city was a standing menace to the

health of the community.

The rankest outgrowth of human degradation that can be

found upon this continent.

The Chinese pay more than what other tenants would pay,

even though they make much less than their ethnic

counterparts

Although native to America, Chinese American who grew up

in Chinatown did not learn English until they went to school

Treaties and restrictions were no effectual barriers against

Chinese immigration

Solution to Chinese immigration: scatter them among the

different states once they arrive

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Bitter Strength: A History of the

Chinese in the United States 1850-

1870

The Chinese newcomers came with a goal in mind:

Make money to return to China with their savings for a life of ease,

surrounded and honored by the families which their toil had sustained

Many immigrants came on the credit-ticket system

The sojourners dominant concern in their new environment was survival,

not liberty

Chinatown was an outlet for pent-up emotions and suppressed desires

Chinese were a threat to Californias unstable economy

Chinese in the East experienced little social problems

Also distributed around the South, Pennsylvania,

The Companies represented the Chinese community by acting as a

liaison

With the rise of the Companies, the Triads (Tongs) also emerged

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Presentation Summary

The collective support of the Overseas Chinese

were instrumental to the political, social and economic

changes in China during the late 19th century and beyond.

The Chinese community emerged from the persistence of

exclusion and segregation through the brokering class thathelped shape class formation and social organization from

early Chinese America. (e.g Tape v. Hurley)

Communities were brought together until the common

struggle to fight discriminating laws and help increase ratesof emigration to the United States despite exclusion laws

Immigration changed family structures and gender roles, so

Chinese wives became more independent and powerful in

the community

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Presentation Summary

Contd. Second- generation Chinese American women have taken

first step toward opposing challenging traditional gender

roles and racial discrimination in a larger White society.

Many Chinese American immigrants came to the United

States and established their ideal community, known as

Chinatown, although not every one is identical.

The Chinese American had to learn to adapt to their

environment and learn to incorporate their cultural values

while assimilating to the American society

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Discussion Questions

1. How did the Tape vs. Hurley

case help change ChineseAmerican society?

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2. How important werethe overseasChinese on the political landscape inlate 19th century China? What otherinfluences and/or impacts didChinese immigrants have (hint:

technology, education)?

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3. What were some of the reasonsthat the Chinese preferred to sendmales over females to America?

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4. Most women remained in Chinawhile the men emigrated to theUnited Stateswhat were their rolesand why are they important todeveloping the Chinese American

Community?

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5. What is the difference between firstgeneration and second generationChinese American women? How didthe second generation Chineseexperience differ from that of the

Chinese immigrant?

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6. Despite having greater education,why were second generation ChineseAmerican women still unable to find

jobs?

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7. What are the similarities anddifferences between theChinatowns in Monterey,Watsonville and Santa Cruz?

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8. What were the stereotypes of

Chinatown? And is Chinatown aghetto?

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AAS121 Week 5 Presentation_final