“WHO ARE YOUR ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL HEROES?”
A significant historical emphasis has occurred around a few “key points” in Asian American history. Most often, Chinese Rail Workers, Japanese Internments, and WWII (mainly focusing on events in a foreign country and not looking at the intricate and emotional experiences of Asian Americans in the USA) are quoted when referencing AAPI history.
Although these are indeed key historical moments, they are not normally expounded upon adequately and are used as the sole basis to suggest that Asian American history IS being taught. I must disagree, wholeheartedly, as few individuals of Asian descent are ever mentioned by name or highlighted as historical icons.
One simple question I always ask to make this point is, “WHO ARE YOUR ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL HEROES?”
Hint: if the answer is a current living figure or Bruce Lee, that ain’t it, bro.
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CHINESE GOLD RUSH
Chinese immigrants first arrived in the 1820s (nearly 300 years after the Filipinos were first brought to the Americas). During the 1850s, the Chinese population grew substantially (to nearly 25,000 making up 1/5 of the Southern Mines counties) due to the Gold Rush.
The Opium Wars in China left many without homes or work. So when news of Gam Saan, or gold mountain, came Chinese men went looking for new opportunities in the land of dreams.
The few who were successful in panning for gold, soon found discrimination and attacks waiting for them. The Chinese would often work abandoned plots. Many Euro-American citizens, would steal their plots out back from underneath them, run them off the land, or murder them if they were thought to have found any gold. The Chinese soon learned to mine in numbers, as it increased their safety and chances of retaining what gold they mined.
Unfortunately though, many Chinese arrived too late. They soon learned the Gold Rush was waning and were now out of work. Desperate to stay and start new lives, they looked for other opportunities. Many began finding employment as rail workers, as the Chinese were seen to be “cheap labor” who would work long hours without complaint.
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Lesson 7 – Gold Rush
#aapiheritage#aapi#aapimonth#asianamericanhistory
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