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[[Apartheid]] | [[Black Power Movement]] | [[Chinese in America]] | [[La Raza]] | [[Citations]] | [[Apartheid]] | [[Black Power Movement]] | [[Chinese in America]]|[[La Raza]] | [[Anti-Racism Conclusion]]|[[Citations]] | ||
'''Historical Study of Chinese Americans''' | '''Historical Study of Chinese Americans''' | ||
Latest revision as of 01:30, 11 May 2006
Apartheid | Black Power Movement | Chinese in America|La Raza | Anti-Racism Conclusion|Citations
Historical Study of Chinese Americans
For many people studying the Chinese population in America, their history usually begins and concludes with their participation in the building of the transcontinental railroad. Yet, the Chinese actually are one of the nation's oldest immigrant groups, before the expansion of the railroads they were already here as scholars, merchants, doctors, etc. The first large influx of Chinese immigration came with the discovery of gold in California. By the time the railroad was completed in 1869, a pattern had been set: The Chinese were willing to work harder than man white citizens, under worse conditions and, more controversially, for less pay. They could not testify against white men in court, own property, become naturalized citizens or marry white women. Tragically in their immigration they were not allowed to bring their wives along the journey. It was seen that many westward traveling white laborers felt entitled to jobs the Chinese had held, this began the systematical discrimination of the Chinese in America. Chinese men and boys were shot, killed and hanged in massacres and riots (Chinese Massacre of 1871); they were burned out of their homes and removed from towns and settlements.
Citizenship
As a direct result of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution all ethnic Chinese who are born in the United States are American citizens. This came about in 1898 through the case United States v. Wong Kim Ark Supreme Court decision. It states that upon naturalization, all immigrants must renounce their affiliation to their former countries. China currently does not accept or recognize their citizens for having dual citizenship
Despite the immense hard work and intelligence of the Chinese in American gold mines, their help in building the trans-continental railroad, and their painstaking work in creating an agricultural California, the economic panics of the late 19th century of the created pressures that led eventually to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. This was the legal beginning of racism towards Chinese Americans. This Act was enacted onto all Chinese entering the United States for over a decade. The Chinese Exclusion Act made it easier to create even more anti-Chinese immigration laws and court cases that made their way to the U.S. Supreme Court over the next three decades. What follows are a few highlights and lowlights of the period, including the Wong Kim Ark case, which was eventually rewritten by anti-immigration supporters.
Sinophobia
Sinophobia is a consistent hostility toward people of Chinese origin, and may also refer to hostility towards China's culture or history and government. The term describes the actions and attitudes of individuals as well as the policies and pronouncements of governments and other organizations.
Sinophobic attitudes often have Chinese minorities outside of China proper as their target. This is true both in Asia (historically and in the modern era) and in the West. In this sense, the term essentially denotes an ethnic bigotry, often complicated by the economic and political exigencies of immigration and majority-minority relations. Where it is directed at the country itself, anti-Chinese sentiment may or may not qualify as an ethnic or racial prejudice, as criticisms of the Communist Party of China are not necessarily meant to denounce the Chinese population as a whole.
Orginization of Chinese Americans
OCA’s Mission Statement
“Embracing the Hopes and Aspirations of APAs.”
Founded in 1973, OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. OCA aims to embrace the hopes and aspirations of nearly 12 million Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. The OCA has partaken in many events to promote the rights of Asians (specifically Chinese) since its creating in 1973
OCA's goals are:
to advocate for social justice, equal opportunity and fair treatment; to promote civic participation, education, and leadership; to advance coalitions and community building; and to foster cultural heritage. To achieve these goals, OCA is engaged in organizing its 80 chapters and affiliates across the nation to develop both leadership and community involvement. OCA chapters and our organizational and college affiliates are establishing strong local programs in all parts of the country.
OCA's based in Washington, D.C. gives the national office an effective vantage point for monitoring legislation and policy issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans. In addition, OCA is able to build national support and to work in coalition with other national groups around issues affecting Asian Pacific Americans.
OCA takes no collective position on the politics of any foreign country, but instead focuses on the welfare and civil rights of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States.
http://www.ocanatl.org/bin/htmlos/02276.7.1532800073200021481
Chinese Alliance Groups
