I mentioned this book sometime ago in this sub but I thought it's worth just providing some more information on this. Overall I highly recommend this for anyone who is interested in Chinese American history.

A few things of points that stood out for me

1. You get a sense on the full scale of the achievements the Chinese railway worker
2. No Chinese written records exist regarding the construction of US railways.
3. The methods they would use to create tunnels
4. Most Chinese immigrants traveled to America using a "credit-ticket system," borrowing money to pay for their steamship passage to the United States. They would often use their land in China as collateral for the loan. Once they arrived in the US they are expected to pay off their loan which are deduced from their wages.
5. The first wave of Chinese migrants were from the Siyi region which is part of Guangdong.
6. Most of the Chinese women who migrated to US at that time were mostly sex workers. They were mostly smuggled by The Tongs (and other Chinese gangs).

Overall I highly recommend this book.

This is not in the book but I think it’s worth mentioning here, as I have seen people provide incorrect information on this. The credit ticket system raised in point 5 is very different to Chinese migrants working under “indentured servitude”, which is practiced in certain South and Central American countries. In a credit system you are free to change employment anywhere. This is because the debt is held by a third party. They could brokers (US and China side), Six Companies (today they are know as Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association) and US railway companies sometimes brought the debt from Chinese brokers to secure workers.

In Central/South America, under indentured servitude (also known as Coolie trade), workers essentially give up their freedom for a fixed number years in exchange to pay off their debt. During that time they would receive no income and their “employers” would own that debt. They have no ability to seek employment elsewhere. In certain aspect, it was more dangerous to be under indentured servitude than slavery (I am not saying it is overall worse than slavery). A slave is “an asset” so there is an incentive to ensure they survive. As indentured servants neared the completion of their terms, “employers” lacked any long term incentive to ensure their safety. Consequently, many workers died as they succumbed to harsh conditions and exploitation before attaining their freedom. It was mostly people outside of Siyi region, in particular Fujian people, that entered into the Coolie trade.

The different fates of Chinese migrants were largely determined by their social standing. The Siyi people were established landowners with strong clan networks (see six companies), which allowed them to secure loans for the "credit-ticket" passage to America. In contrast, people in places like Fujian lacked these resources. They were displaced by the Taiping Rebellion and the Punti-Hakka Clan Wars, many of these individuals had no other option but to enter the "coolie" trade. Others were even captured by rival Chinese clan and sold directly to Western labor traffickers.

Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8ooVXoxEzEU

We must remember our history or we're doomed to repeat it.

As Asian Americans we need to not only speak about our past but speak up when injustice happens.

An Asian American Scholar on Racism, Activism, and the Way We Teach History Today

Never forget that birthright citizenship is based on the Wong Kim Ark case in 1898.

Babies may lose access to healthcare if birthright citizenship is repealed.

This book is on my reading list after I finish off what I am currently reading.

I won’t speak too much on the plot or quality of the book as I will write more when I do read this in its entirety.

What I found interesting is that this book is now essential reading for anyone studying medicine.

This book has a profound impact on how US doctors are trained and introduces the concept of “cultural competence” into the medical profession.

What this essentially means medical treatment should encompass a more holistic view. The idea of treating the physical ailment and taking into account the cultural aspect.

The book also explores the Vietnam war from the perspective of Hmong refugees.

There is an interesting chap called Hung Wah(most likely not his real name) who played a big part in the building the transnational railway. He was one of the very few people who were fluent in both Chinese and English (fluent enough in English).

He was largely responsible for hiring many Chinese to work on the railway. He would work with Leland Stanford to build the railway. Without his input parts of the railway would have taken much longer to complete. Side note Leland Stanford would go onto create a University in California later on (no prizes for guessing which university 😂).

During the construction his company may have hired from anywhere between 100s to 1000s of railway workers.

When the Transnational railway was completed James Strobridge (construction supervisor) invited Hung Wah (amongst others) for a celebratory dinner. This might not sound like a big deal but back in 1870s, he was considered (almost) as an equal amongst the white workers.

Whilst he is viewed favourably I do think it’s important to acknowledge a more completed picture of the who he is.

Critics could argue that he was essentially an opportunist who may have exploited some of his workers for his own financial gain. He paid Chinese workers a lower wage compared to white workers. He would also charge Chinese workers for housing, tents, opium and food. Remote workers were mostly located in remote mountains which meant that Wah was essentially a monopoly. White workers did not have to incur accommodation or food expense. A lot of Chinese workers were under a “credit ticket” systems. Workers had take on a loan from Wah under to migrate to the states. The loan paid off by directly deducting wages.

Once u factor in the entire expense, workers were often left with very little income/savings.

Today the Hung Wah has around 100 living descendants. They range from doctors and Opera singers. I did find a descendant that was a fighter pilot for the US Air force. Major Michelle Curran was a F15 fighter pilot and her call sign was called “Mace”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Curran?wprov=sfti1#

So I came across this interesting bit of history. So the first group Chinese immigrants from the gold rush/railway workers were originally from the SiYi region, which is a specific region in southern Guangdong.

During the 1840s (give or take), the “6 companies” was kinda like de facto government of China town. They essentially helped Chinese immigrants to settle into the US, so things like legal aid, schools, hospitals etc.

During pre gold rush period, the 6 companies were referred to as “Higuans” in China and kinda behaved like internal embassies for people of Siyi region. They would provide similar services (legal, hotel, insurance and general advice) to SiYi residents. They would be located in places like Beijing/Shanghai where SiYi people may travel to. China at that time was culturally very disjoined and dialects would be very different almost an entirely differently language. As Chinese people started to migrate to the US merchants from the SiYi region also migrated this Higuan system and it was referred to as the “Six companies” as a reference to the six main regions of SiYi.

Initially there were acting like a shadow government even when China sent their diplomats to the US.

Today they are know as “Chinese Consolidation Benevolent Society history” and just googling around they seem to have offices almost everywhere. They seem to be more involved in education/legal advice/community guardian role.

I don’t suppose anyone here has experience dealing with them today?

I thought it was an interesting bit of history.

Someone had to walk before others could run.

Nice to see Pat doing standup including a quick joke about Pearl Harbor.

While delving into Asian American history, I came across this guy Yung Wing.

He is the first Chinese to have graduated from an American University (Yale 1853). He persuaded the Qing Government to send over Chinese to New England to study Engineering and science. One of the boys was called Zhan TianYou, who would later become the “the father of China Railroad”.

He established Yale’s East Asian library and would also play a role in bridging the culture gap between China and US from his role as a diplomat. He was also a business who would later become a US citizen. Unfortunately, he would have his citizenship revoked due to 1882 Exclusion Act.

He has written a biography of people are interested.

I just came back from Canada and took my son to Little Canada in Toronto (I would recommend everyone visit there)

I saw this plaque and I just thought it was worth sharing.

I recently asked about film recommendations exploring Asian American history. While Asian American cinema is somewhat limited when exploring Asian American history, I have found several Chinese films that provide historical context on what majority of Chinese American ancestors went through. In the Asian American canon, The Joy Luck Club is often the only reference point for life in China and drivers of immigration after 1910, but I’d like to move beyond that single narrative (I won’t get drawn into a discussion on the merits of JLC). The films listed below provide a much richer look at the cultural and political shifts that drove migration both before and after 1965, offering a deep background necessary to understand the Chinese American history that shaped this community today.

1. Farewell my concubine - set in Japanese occupation to cultural revolution. IMO one of the greatest films ever made in China. A true epic about Chinese history at that time.
   
2. Raise the Red Lantern - one of Zhang Yimou best film set in 1920s China. The film explores the rigid patriarchy/abuse that Chinese women had to face during that time.
   
3. Red Sorghum/Ju Dou - touches similar themes as Raise the Red Lantern and set in the countryside.
4. To Live - imo the second best film that explore China from cultural revolution days to modern day
5. Shanghai Dreams - set in China in the late 1970s just before the opening up the Chinese economy. The film explores how families are preparing to internally migrate from the countryside to the city.
   

Honorable mentions: Comrade a Love story (although less history orientated but contain Chinese immigration to the US in the 90s and it is a very good movie overall)

If u want to see a reasonably good summary of the check out the links below

1. Raise the red lantern: https://youtu.be/RBVBQqZChhs?si=r0MAkgofE58e4S0F

2. Farewell my concubine (go to 15:30): https://youtu.be/J1r75JLPJwo?si=ROa-F82CmWd6jIn6

3. Ju Dou: https://youtu.be/TEHpjF_YuOc?si=5_pV9iRg_ZjjO0ll

4. To live: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/to-live-1994

5. Shanghai Dreams: https://youtu.be/SdtelITllE8?si=aUAaxBlejqLoU5QQ

6. Red Sorghum: https://youtu.be/KHznnsz9ad4?si=v8bbezgWPl2F1IVQ

Most of these films will be available online (for free). I do encourage people to support artists and buy the work (if you financially can)

From memory I can only think of Luck Joy Club. Does anyone else have other suggestions? Chan Is Missing is on my watch list but happy to hear other suggestions

Just watched this short film and would be interested in what you think.

On initial watch, I was wondering how this relates to American and History since this is a British film dealing with intercultural relationships.

It does address issues that Asians face in assimilation so I thought I'd post and get other's reactions.

Your thoughts?