Lecture on the Chinese Exclusion Act and its Modern Parallels

Historical Context

• "A Statue for Our Harbor": An iconic 1881 cartoon by George Frederick Keller reflecting anti-Chinese sentiment.
• Chinese Exclusion Act: Enacted in 1882, it limited Chinese immigration and barred naturalization.
• 135th Anniversary: Activists rally in San Francisco to acknowledge the act's anniversary and its implications.
• Cynthia Choi's Statement: Advocates learning from history to prevent repeating mistakes.

Race and Class Dynamics

• Erika Lee's Perspective: In her book, "At America's Gates," Lee describes the U.S. transition to a "gatekeeping nation" with the exclusion law.
• Impact: First law to exclude immigrants based on race and class, drastically reduced Chinese immigration.

Political Climate

• 1876 Presidential Race: Close race involving Rutherford Hayes & Samuel Tilden brought Chinese exclusion to national attention.
• Economic Anxiety: Fears of job competition and moral threats fueled anti-Chinese sentiment.

Parallels to Present Day

• Economic Interests: Historical and modern interests in immigration and border policies.
• Current Policies: Similarities drawn to modern proposals like the Muslim ban and increased detention facilities.
• Temporary Measures: Exclusion Act was temporary but lasted 61 years, repealed when U.S. sought alliances during WWII.

Different Times, Different Responses

• Today’s Immigration Policies: Trump’s policies compared to exclusion era, noted for divisiveness and broad impact.
• Protests and Legal Challenges: Unlike the exclusion era, there is significant resistance today.

Community Sentiment

• Janelle Wong's Survey: Mixed responses within Asian-American communities regarding the Muslim ban.
• Rally Efforts: Organized efforts to educate and involve diverse language groups.

Historical Reflections

• Saum Song Bo's Letter: Critique of the Statue of Liberty's symbolism versus the reality for Chinese immigrants.

Conclusion

• Liberty and Exclusion: Historical and ongoing struggles for true liberty and inclusion in the U.S.