8/9/2019 Let Us Now Praise Chinese Laundrymen

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LET US NOW PRAISE CHINESE LAUNDRYMEN

In search of Gold Mountain, you, your sons, and brothers came,

Some helped forge the rail that links the land from coast to coast,

Then, for problems not of your making, you were held to blame,Racism denied you basic rights and liberties accorded to most,

You were taunted, assaulted, and then excluded from the land,

Undaunted, you persevered and worked long hours into the night,

Resourceful, you learned to survive by doing laundry by hand,

For many, apart years from wife and children was your plight,

You slaved, skimped, and saved to have money to send back,

Resilient, you endured hardships with a determined attitude,

Of courage, endurance, and determination, you did not lack,For which your children, and theirs, owe you lasting gratitude''

From John Jung, Chinese Laundries; Tickets To Survival On Gold

Mountain Yin & Yang Press 2007.