For decades, history has been told in black and white, so honestly that's all I thought there was to it, until recently when I began to do a little studying of my own. Recently, hashtags like #StopAsianHate has been trending which got me thinking, "Why, now?" So, I decided to do some research and learn about American history beyond black and white. Keep on scrolling to learn more.
Hate towards immigrants and people of many different race like Asian has been trending on all kinds of social media platforms like Twitter lately, and I wanted to know why. Hatred doesn't come out of no where, so I wanted to do some digging on the root of Americas racist act beyond black and white.
Immigrants come to America for better life and better opportunities for their family.
As Chinese immigrants came to America during the Gold Rush, they were obligated to construct the transcontinental railroad. When the American economy was at stake, the hatred for Asian immigrants rose rapidly. The economy continued to get worse and so did their anger at the Chinese. People like Denis Kearney fought against Asian immigration and wanted them gone. He decided to persuade the country to discriminate against Asians at work to drive them away from America.
It is absolutely sick!
Events like the Chinese Massacre will hunt America forever for it is extremely detrimental to all those involved. Soon after the Chinese Massacre, an act called the Chinese Exclusion act was ratified stripping them of their citizenship right regardless of where they lived or worked. They did everything they could to get rid of immigrants. How could they go against the 14th amendment again after continuously fighting for it?!
Immigration was seen as war to the American people and the fear of American leaders took over all decisions instead of justice and equality. They feared if they continued to allow immigrants in America would enable them to take over the country when in reality, they were just coming for a better life. The only reason why American leaders were afraid of that happening is because they did it to the Native Americans in the beginning. They excluded Chinese to “protect” America because of their fear, so the supreme court allowed this violation of the 14 Amendment. The ban went on for 61 years and it has taken an effect on Chinese Americans, today.
Anything foreign started to become unsafe and illegal and it became a real problem! White Americans continued to paint stereotypes of all those who weren’t white and it was extremely painful to those of many different races. They continue to do everything they can to make lives of non-white people miserable by hitting them where they hurt the most: family. Sadly, that is still happening today through ICE.
Nobody has the privilege to choose where they are born, but they can decide where they want to go. Why would someone coming to America for a better life hurt us as citizens? We are all people and as much as we say it we are all equal, you’d think people would understand by now. Regardless of your race, gender, or religion, you are human which creates a common interest in all people. Instead of focusing on how different everyone is, acknowledge the indifference in one another.
Take one step closer to forming a more united nation!
Add comment
Comments