The dark history of the Chinese Exclusion Act - Robert Chang

Dig into the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which suspended Chinese immigration to the U.S. and blocked Chinese immigrants from citizenship.

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In 1882, the United States Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first federal law that restricted immigration based explicitly on nationality. In practice, the Act banned entry to all ethnically Chinese immigrants besides diplomats, and prohibited existing immigrants from obtaining citizenship. Robert Chang details the lasting impact the Act had on immigrant rights and freedoms.

Lesson by Robert Chang, directed by Mohammad Babakoohi & Yijia Cao.

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[blitzwaffe]

I really hate how often the response to this is: "But look what China's doing!" Instead of "We must be better". A lot of people seem to think if something in America is wrong, we just look at a worse country and go: "Oh not so bad". It's literally a child blaming his younger sibling for his mess by pointing out the bigger mess. I hope they don't raise their children like that.

[KPopTato]

"national security" seems like the US' favorite line..

[MichelleIbarraMHAEdD]

This is shameful, and I'm glad it's coming to light. They certainly didn't teach us this in school.

[astro]

"A matter of national security", sounds so familiar.

[talk]

THIS NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT IN MORE SCHOOLS. For all my life, growing up as a Cantonese American I always felt that I Asians as a whole aren’t represented enough in our history classes. Every person of any background deserves to share their story.

[jasonyou]

Sadly, I was never taught any of this in my American history classes in Texas...

[ethanethan]

As a chinese person, it is disheartening to see the struggles our ancestors went through all over the world as immigrants, same here in my country of Malaysia where chinese citizens are seen as a threat and takes the blame for everything, even to today.

But that is the exact thing that makes us so successful, our resilience and drive. Hence, many chinese immigrants find success even in unfavorable situations.

[RealUlrichLeland]

The relationship between the US and east Asia is very strangely colonial in nature despite the US defining itself as the reaction against colonialism at the time. For instance the colonisation of the phillipines, the invasion of China in the eight nation alliance against the boxer Rebellion, and the forceful reopening of Japan's borders by the US Navies commodore Mathew Perry

[berry.mixxxx]

*"I hate you, but don't go! You are very useful to me and I need a scapegoat to excuse my lazyness!"*


Seriously American history reminds me so much of an abusive relationship but with many different people

[blueberrychocolate]

As someone who is Chinese, it infuriates me how people so often in history and currently blame those of colour for anything bad that happens. I never even knew this happened until I watched this video, which just goes to show how often Asian history is ignored or erased.

[houssembenabdallah]

For every USA citizen that feels offended or attacked for exposing the history of racism in his country shouldn't feels that way. There is no country in the world, especially the big once has a clean history.
Talking about the atrocities of the past is a sign of progress and everyone should be proud of it.

[Cremenium]

The surname is Chae. He should be referred to as 'Chae' or 'Chan Ping', not 'Ping'. It's like calling Donald Trump 'Do'.

[s]

"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others"
P.D: The animation is very well done. :)

[zyfigamer]

Ah yes “national security” is what they were worried about. Sure.

[jocelynlin]

I absolutely hate people who discriminate others by literally anything and treat them like inanimate/soulless objects. No one is better than anyone and we should all celebrate our differences and not take pride in other’s unfortunates.

[MikeJBeebe]

The Three American Lies:
1. "It's not about oil."
2. "We're here as liberators."
3. "An American signature on a treaty is worth something."

[PHRCpvh]

Imagine work more than the locals, but instead of being well treated, you get excluded from society all together with excuse of being an outsider. It's ironic how the U.S claims to be a stronghold for dedicated work and individual liberty since it's birth, but it choose to create laws that are just as oppresive as the Soviet Union.

[daemn]

This should be taught in US History and Government classes.

[ryfors]

This was very satisfying to watch. It's rare to see an amarican documentary about America not giving some sort of vague defence for the country's historically horrendous action. Thank you for the informative video.

[shariyarshajid]

I love how America poses Itself as a defender of human rights whereas America was itself established in the blood of massacred Red Indians and racism runs deep through American blood.