Day 25 of APAHM Series: Chinese Railroad Workers

Check out Michelle who explains the history of Chinese Railroad workers whom faced oppression and injustice building railroad without due fairness. Thank you for explaining the facts and the importance of why we should remember and honor the railroad workers who broke sweat, tears, and blood that has brought to where we are today. History teaches us that injustice shall not repeat.

Image Description & Transcript:

[A light skinned Asian women, named Michelle, signs, wearing a burgundy shirt and has medium black hair. There is a background where there is a plant on her right side and a portrait behind her.]

In Remembrance of Chinese Railroad Workers

Did you know that there are two railroads that connect the west coast and the east coast? One is in Canada and the other is in the USA.

First, take a look at the two famous photos.
The USA – The Transcontinental Railroad, May 10, 1869
Canada – The Canadian Pacific Railway, November 7, 1885

What do you notice? None of the Chinese workers were seen in the photos!
Why? Racism against Asians has gone way back in our history.

I would like to take a moment to remember the Chinese workers who played a crucial role in building the railroads.

Chinese workers built the western sections of the railroads. European workers built the eastern sections of the railroads from the east coast. The western sections were very difficult to build due to the Rocky Mountains and other mountains near the west coast.

Chinese workers faced harsh discrimination and inequality by white superiors.They were paid far less compared to white workers. They also had to pay for their own food and supply, while white workers did not have to.They were given the most dangerous and difficult tasks, such as moving heavy rocks and gravel, building bridges, and building tunnels in the mountains using explosives.

As a result, many died from collapsing tunnels, rockslides and brutal winters. Many died from illness, too. Often, their deaths were not recorded, but the deaths of white workers were recorded.Despite of the harsh conditions, they showed excellent workmanship and perseverance that even the superiors were impressed by them.

When it was time to throw the last spike to unite the western and eastern sections of the railroads, white men gathered to take a historical photograph, but all of Chinese workers were cleared from the view of the camera.

Thus, our history has forgotten those 15,000-20,000 Chinese workers who were crucial for building the western sections of the railroads.Frankly, without them, building the railroads might not have happened. Because of them, both countries were able to unite and thrive as a country.

Please take a moment to give thanks and recognition to those Chinese workers who sacrificed:

Their homes and families in China
Their blood and sweat from working
and their lives lost on the railroads

Thank you! Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!