Chinese Exclusion Act/排华法案

美华史记 | 排华法案前后美国最高法院审理的六个华人案件

这篇文章介绍1875 -1905 年的几个重要历史案件:1875 年的22名中国妇女案 (Chy Lung v Freeman),1875年以后有关移民的条约与法案,1884年的周享案(Chew Heong v U.S.),1889年迟成平案(Chae Chan Ping v U.S.),1893年方跃庭案 (Fong Yue Ting v U.S.),1895年林满胜案(Lem Moon Sing v U.S.),1905 年蔡裕案(United States v Ju Toy)。
回首看去,在三权分立的美国,政客们首先趁高涨的排华浪潮通过了一系列排华法案,政府随之制定和实施了一系列规定,步步压制侵蚀华人的正当权利。以最高法院为代表的司法界在1882年排华法案通过前以及通过后的早期曾经坚持捍卫宪法主持正义,以后面对更多系统排华法规节节后退。正义的声音被淹没,华人失去最后的支持。虽然各地仍有善良公正的美国人民给予华人个体多方面照顾和帮助,就社区整体而言华人进入了前所未有的艰难岁月。

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美华史记 | 凤凰城第一家华人洗衣店

在加州大规模的排华浪潮中,1872年6月,5位华人,三男两女,离开气侯四季宜人的旧金山,乘着大蓬车,冒着酷暑,风尘仆仆、一路劳顿,来到常年炎热干燥,居民才一千多人的亚利桑那领地内陆城市凤凰城,开始他们新的生涯。他们是抵达凤凰城的第一批华人,开了凤凰城第一家华人洗衣店。

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Historical Record of Chinese Americans | The vicissitudes of life in San Jose Chinatowns – Inheritance & Future

The so-called “Chinese problem” was a very controversial topic in San Jose society in the mid-19th century. The church burned down because a pastor organized Sunday schools for Chinese children. A German-immigrated landlord was verbally abused and physically threatened for signing contracts with Chinese businessmen.  On February 4, 1886, the California Anti-Chinese Annual Conference, led by the former mayor of St. Jose, was held in St. Jose with the theme, “Chinese must get out!” “, what the hell is going on here?

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美华史记 | 历尽沧桑的圣荷西唐人街

所谓的“中国人问题”是19世纪中期圣荷西社会中一个很有争议的话题。因为一位牧师为中国儿童组织了星期日主日学习班,该教堂被烧毁。 一位德裔地主因与中国商人签订合同而受到辱骂和威胁。 1886年2月4日,由前圣何西市长参与领导的加州反华年会在圣何西举行,主题就是,“中国人必须滚蛋!”,这究竟是怎么回事?

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Historical Record of Chinese Americans | The Workingmen’s Party of California and Chinese Exclusion Act

The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first and only law in US, implemented to prevent a specific ethnic group from immigrating to the United States. It was signed on May 6, 1882 and repealed on December 17, 1943. The declining economy and high unemployment were politicized for the anti-Chinese movement by Denis Kearney, a labor leader who was himself an immigrant from Ireland. When the Sand Lot rally erupted in San Francisco in 1877, Kearney helped found the Workingmen’s Party of California with a sledgehammer four-word slogan: “The Chinese must go!” Kearney’s attacks against the Chinese for working for cheaper wages were supported by many white Californians. The Workingmen’s Party won almost every elective seat in San Francisco and successfully promoted anti-Chinese sentiment. By 1882 the federal government was finally convinced to pass the Chinese Exclusion Act, banning all Chinese immigrant laborers. The Workingmen’s Party of California was gone after the passage of The Chinese Exclusion Act.

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Historical Record of Chinese Americans |The Sixth Decade of the Chinese Exclusion Act

World War II closely linked China and the United States together in the international anti-fascist alliance, during which China was portrayed as a friend and ally by the public media in the United States.  Many Chinese Americans actively participated in the anti-Japanese propaganda and war.  Not only did they survive the harsh domestic political environment of the exclusion period, but their “popular” role in the war also won them respect and sympathy.

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Historical Record of Chinese Americans| Paper son: one man’s story on an individual experience of living during the Exclusion era and McCarthyism

Paper son: one man’s story is a memoir by Tung Pok Chin. In this book the author casts light on the largely hidden experience of those Chinese who immigrated to America with false documents during the Exclusion Act era. Also, the author’s personal story under the shadow of McCarthyism may resonate with those who have been caught in the middle.

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美华史记 | 美国华人的首次大型公民抗命运动

1882年5月6日切斯特·亚瑟(Chester A. Arthur)总统签署了“排华法案”,禁止所有技术或非技术性的华工移民,违者将被监禁并驱逐。 [1] 最初此法律的有效期是十年。1892年,美国政府再次推出了《吉尔里法案》(The Geary Act)。该法案不仅延长了1882年出台的“排华法案“,而且更要求每名华人居民都要注册并佩戴居留证,此证被华人称为“狗牌”。至此,排华进入了第二个十年。

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美华史记 | 美国华人的首次跨国参政

美国华人首次尝试跨国参政——发动并支持母国的抵制美货运动,以及参与国内反满革命。抵制美货运动最终以失败告终,相反,反满革命取得成功。无论成败,华人的跨国参政努力并没有给海外华人带来直接可见的经济和政治地位的提升和改善。事实上,他们利用美国的法律机制通过打官司部分地改变了自己的命运

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Historical Record of Chinese Americans | Angel Island Immigration Station

Thanks to the tireless efforts of these people, today we have an opportunity to visit this well-preserved Angel Island immigration station, follow in the footsteps of the early immigrants, walk every part of the land, and read the poems Chinese left on the walls.  It often reminders us that we stand against all discrimination and prejudice against specific groups.

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