.04

Chinatowns

A label reading, Early chinatowns gradually developed in urban areas, like San Francisco, starting in the 1850s. These ethnic enclaves provided social and economic support for Chinese immigrants. The districts functioned as a city within a city- a place to buy familiar food, to worship in a traditional Temple, and to conduct business. While responses to the first Chinese immigrants to California were often welcoming, that sentiment would not last long. With the competition of many railroad projects by the 1870s, Chinese laborers looking for work moved in increasing numbers to Urban centers. This labor force that had been welcomed- and eventually recruited- to work on the railroads was now seen as a threat to mainstream society. Due to growing racial hostility, violence and regulations, Chinatown communities became safe havens.
A label reading, United States vs. Wong Kim Ark 1819 was a landmark Federal immigration case conducted during the Chinese exclusion Acts. Wong Kim Ark was born in San Francisco around 1870 to Chinese immigrants. After a trip abroad in 1894, he was denied reentry on claim that he was not a citizen. With help from Chinese Six Companies, Wong appealed for judicial review. From the US district Court in San Francisco, his case went through to the circuit Court of appeals to the supreme Court. The precedent setting final ruling, upholding the Fourth amendment, was that us-borne descendants of immigrants could not be denied US citizenship, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality of their ancestors. Wong Kim Ark's legal battle insured birthright citizenship protection, paving the future for tens of millions of people born to immigrant parents
A label reading, The sudden change of public sentiment toward our people in those days was an interesting illustration of mob psychology... The useful and steady Chinese worker became overnight. The mysterious Chinaman, an object of unknown dread. When I landed here in 1868, the trouble was already brewing, but the climax did not come until 1876-1877. I understand that several causes contributed to the anti-chinese. It was a period of general economic depression in the western states, brought about by drought, crop failures, and reduced output of the gold mines. After years of increasing hostility, the Chinese exclusion act of 1882 shut the poor on most Chinese immigration in the United States. Exceptions were made for people of certain status like merchants and diplomats. In addition, the act prohibited existing immigrants from citizenship. The Chinese were the only ethnic group in history of the United States to have been specifically denied entrance into the country. By law, they were also prohibited from testifying in court, owning property, voting, having their families join them, and marrying non-Chinese. The exclusion act and its subsequent extensions and restrictions significantly targeted. The growth of the Chinese American community- limitations not imposed on robust European immigration. Until restrictions began to be repealed in 1943, most Chinese immigrants lived a a life apart, building is society in which they could survive on their own.
A label reading, Ah Quin 1848-1914, born Tom Chong Kwan, grew up in Canton and learned English at a mission school. At age 20, his family sent him to the United States in hopes of him earning money to send home. After working service jobs along the west coast, he settled in San Diego with his wife Sue Leong. Quin's work as a bilingual labor broker to recruit Chinese for railroad projects contributed to Southern California's growing economy. His charisma and business acumen secured his leadership status in San Diego's Chinatown and he held many Chinese peers with translation and interpretation during legal proceedings. The Quin family's 12 children were some of the first Chinese-born in the city and some of the descendants are still living in San Diego today.
An oil painting of an old man and a toddler fixing and cleaning shoes
A label reading, The artist states, “This painting was inspired by my visit to the National Museum of History in Washington, D.C. The artifacts, stories, and photographs opened my eyes to the inspiring history of early Chinese immigrants. One of the narratives that I was particularly drawn to was of a Chinese shoe repairer. This painting brings the viewer back to 1898, and the poster of the Statue of Liberty hints at the themes of immigration and freedom. The scene focuses on the father-son relationship as they work together at the family business. I tried to capture the human spirit and bring to life this mundane but intimate moment filled with patience and teamwork. The unity, mutual respect and cooperation between family members expressed here are the values that I grew up around and that are core to traditional Chinese culture.”
A label reading, Shanghai-born Jie Wei Zhou developed a passion for art by learning from a professional artist neighbor as a young boy. Teachers later recognized his talent and recommended formal training. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shanghai Normal University in the early 1980s. During this time, he extensively studied both French and Russian painting styles and refined his mastery of painting light and form. Then, in 1991, he became one of only 11 students in his city of 13 million chosen to earn an MFA from the prestigious Shanghai Drama Institute. Zhou found success in China but dreamed of painting in the United States. On the suggestion of an American couple who saw him painting near Shanghai, he sent several rolled canvases to a Colorado gallery. When the artwork sold, he used the money to pay for his passage in 1994. Now a U.S. citizen residing near Denver, Zhou honors his cultural roots through his Chinese and Chinese American subjects. Through sharing these narratives and memories, he hopes to increase understanding and appreciation for Asian cultures, both historically and present-day. It would have been very hard for them. I can’t imagine; it is a mystery. For some people, maybe it was an adventure to come to Golden Mountain, but when they reached this land, it was difficult to start a new life with so many obstacles. —Jie Wei Zhou, regarding experiences of early Chinese immigrants
A portrait of a Chinese man in a suit
A photograph of a wealthy Chinese family
A label reading, A major contributor to the early Chinese American community, Chin Lin Sou (1836–1894) was a pioneer and leader in mining ventures and worked as a railroad foreman. He was one of the first Chinese to settle in Colorado, and overcame racial barriers in the 1870s to become a successful bilingual businessman and the unofficial mayor of Denver’s Chinatown. Known as a diplomatic leader, he founded organizations that supported Chinese businesses and communities. His children and grandchildren, some pictured here, continued the family legacy of influence and prosperity.
A painting of an elderly Chinese man in black, a smiling Chinese woman in red and white, and a young Chinese boy in beige and a braid sit on in a street stall and sell trinkets. A small American boy in a hat inspects the stall.
A label with an old photograph of a merchant at a stall
A post card of an anti-Chinese riot
A label reading, Violence against Chinese immigrants in the 19th century was all too common. This illustration represents the October 1880 riot against the Chinese in Denver’s Chinatown, also called Hop Alley (a derogatory term referring to opium dens there). A saloon argument escalated to 3,000 people descending on the neighborhood, attacking Chinese and their property. One man named Sing Lee was killed in the riot.
A post card of an old Chinese cobbler
A label reading, At the turn of the century, Chinatown streets were filled with transient peddlers and artisans. With low literacy rates, manual skills like shoe repair were common ways to make a living. Immigrant Chinese also made up a large percentage of factory workers and could be paid a fraction of what white laborers earned. The cheap labor fueled the economy for the upper class, but it created resentment towards the Chinese by white laborers who saw them as a threat to jobs. One boot factory owner in 1876 acknowledged that “to Chinamen, on average we pay less... If the Chinese were taken from us, we should close tomorrow.”

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