Rebuilding Homeland: The Chinese American Society in Turmoil (1940--1965)

Author: Zhao Xiaojian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This book explores the Chinese American society between 1940 and 1965 from several different perspectives. In the eyes of Westerners, China before World War II was seen as a poor, backward, vulnerable, and uncivilized nation. Due to their different skin color from Caucasians, Chinese Americans had long been classified as an inferior race in the United States. U.S. immigration laws were particularly harsh on Chinese; government officials at entry ports also subjected immigrants from China to special criticism. By the 1940s, although immigration laws for Chinese were somewhat relaxed, the historical problems had become more complex. The main characters in the book, Chinese immigrants to the United States before 1965, were mostly ordinary people from rural China. These individuals had limited education and did not speak English, yet they were able to negotiate with U.S. immigration officials and overcome the various obstacles set by the immigration laws at the time. The ability of Chinese Americans to survive and build a unique and prosperous ethnic society in extremely harsh times reflects their understanding of American society and legal procedures, relying on incredible wisdom and strength. Their persistent efforts to resist racial prejudice, segregation, and oppression have added a truly remarkable chapter to the history of the United States.