Chinese Exclusion Act 1882

Chinese Exclusion Act 1882, “the country’s first major immigration law” (Chan, 2018) reminds me of the flipped side of the immigrant’s coin. It is the “chilling part of Asian-American history” (Chan, 2018), that highlights the inhuman behavior “that singled out and blocked a specific ethnicity group” (Chan, 2018). Despite the low ratio “composed only .002 percent of the nation's population” (Staff, 2018), the Chinese face extreme violence. Congress passed this law to attain “racial purity” (Staff, 2018) which was a vague argument. Americans tried their best to stop the Chinese but failed in front of merchants, Government officials, students, teachers, and tourists. The essay will evaluate the contributing factors behind the Chinese Exclusion Act, its impact on the immigrants’ life from history to the current status, the dilemma of discrimination and cultural difference, and an illegal way to reside in America to meet their life needs.

Chinese Exclusion Act was made to restrict Chinese immigrants because the “Gold Rush” period causes an increase in “4.3% of the total number of newcomers to the U.S” (Chan,2018). Chinese find out immigration as an opportunity to earn a living. They start selling their services at low wages which “Americans viewed as unfair economic competition” (Chan, 2018). It brings racial prejudices and competition at marketplaces that imparts job reductions. Chinese considered illegal people and “were accused of bringing drug use, prostitution, and gangs to the U.S.” (Chan, 2018). The act allows Americans to exclude the Chinese for their well-being but made Chinese life a hell.

The exclusion has a greater impact on Chinese immigrants and their families. They were facing illegitimacy and racial discrimination. The inheritance faces the blames that “they were entered illegally” and “imported” (Lui, 2009). Their identity remains ambiguous in the terms of their surnames. Americans still consider the Chinese as a legacy of crime.

Poor farmers entered America with a pseudo-identity to make money. It is known from the shared immigrants’ stories. It shows their courage to fight the politically unstable period and realize the struggle of their generations. They risked their life under “Paper Son, Paper Daughter” terms for the dreamed future. Other immigrants should share the struggle stories so that the younger ones fight boldly for their rights, and clear the chaos as Eric Gee did. She accepted her forefathers' commitments. She points out that people should be “aware of their love ones” (Lui, 2009).

The historical development of knowledge helps immigrants to survive in a foreign land. The only way to live a peaceful is “to stay informed on immigration policy that constantly changes before our eyes” (Chan, 2018). It lowers the racial psychological disturbance and creates an easiness of mind. Current Trump’s policies are contrasting examples of history. “He signed an executive order that banned citizens of seven Majority-Muslim countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days”. Then he “signed an executive order in January” (Chan, 2018). It is about controlled immigrants. The immigrants will check at any time. “The U.S. and Trump are still looking to phase out protections for undocumented youth” (Chan, 2018) are dogging people. The ongoing tradition of “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month” is another unfinished debate. Immigrants have a right to look at history to understand the current scenarios and why are they treated badly. “Today, Asian-Americans are often viewed as a model minority — but this is a myth created to divide people of color and keep racism as the status quo” (Chan, 2018). Democratic America wants racial supremacy to establish a dreamland, but they indirectly created violent sources.

A history filled with examples that shows the alternation of fate. Trump's amendments regarding immigration laws reflect the repetition of history. The names were changed, but the basic aim remains the same. Americans are still using the caricatured figure to spread violence. The “racist cartoons” are replaced by the words, “lazy”, “dangerous”, and “criminals”. The stereotypes are made to show the Chinese as “exotic”. “Chinese people eating dogs to “yellow fever,” reflects the blame-shifting behavior of White (Chan, 2018). History repeats itself, refers to the American’s behavior towards Chinese immigrants. Although Chinese’s allotted “Paper Son, Paper Daughter” law, but they considered them illegal, and undocumented immigrants.

The long past is still related to the present survival conditions. The racial prejudices are of no use in front of the development. Past reminds us of the political instabilities and how cultural differences become a hindrance to economic growth. Past enables people to keep their eyes open while making any decision. To assimilate into one's culture is uneasy. You have to cover the identity to live an acculturated life. One should celebrate the cultural differences by paying tribute to ancestors for taking the risk and accepting their roots. “It’s OK for people to come in” (Lui, 2009). Do not be perplexed in life by having cultural differences. growth rwth o

Chinese Exclusion Act is a thought-provoking part of history. It gives the lessons of attacking an opportunity. The Chinese use the “Paper Son, and Paper Daughter” to create better opportunities. Next, do not stop in life, continue the journey until you succeed, immigrants continue to suffer, and finally, Americans lifted the restrictions. Then, you can overcome all the issues to achieve big as Gee travels (Lui, 2009). Finally, deconstructing things, signs, and symbols are unallied to progress. Lastly, do not let the past ruin the present, as Eric “grows up like any other kid” (Lui, 2009), but let her wonders founds the way. The whole essay is critically evaluated by keeping the facts and figures given in the instruction.