The Very Short Introductions Podcast Asian American History – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 55
Oct 20, 2022
Madeline Y. Hsu, a historian and Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, dives into the critical topics of Asian American history and its impact on the U.S. She highlights the long-standing contributions of Asian Americans and discusses the effects of legal exclusions on immigration and detention policies. Hsu also addresses contemporary stereotypes shaped by historical narratives, emphasizing the need for inclusive historical perspectives that foster a multiracial, egalitarian society.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Centering Asians Reshapes U.S. Narratives
- Hsu integrates Asian American history with broader U.S. and global histories across 500 years and many groups.
- Centering Asian Americans reveals how they fit into the nation of immigrants and reshape narratives.
Legal Exclusion Shaped Immigration Systems
- Asian Americans were legally excluded from citizenship for most of U.S. history and this shaped immigration law.
- That exclusion created systems of detention, deportation, and lesser rights still visible today.
Racialization Set Lasting Precedents
- Racializing Asians as foreign aliens established precedents used against other immigrant groups.
- Contemporary practices of detention and deportation trace back to restrictions targeting Asians.
