No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp 218: Unabridged Interview: Michael Luo
Jul 18, 2025
Michael Luo, the executive editor at The New Yorker and author of 'Strangers in the Land', shares his powerful journey after facing racism on the streets of Manhattan. He dives deep into the history of Chinese exclusion in the U.S., revealing how past injustices shape modern America. Luo emphasizes the significance of resilience and solidarity among marginalized communities, while also exploring the complex dynamics of race, identity, and belonging in contemporary society. His insights urge us to reflect on our shared history and the pathway to a more inclusive future.
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Triggering Incident Sparking Book
- Michael Luo shares a personal experience of being told "go back to China" on a Manhattan sidewalk in 2016.
- This incident sparked his journey to explore and write about Chinese exclusion in America.
Chinese Exclusion as Democracy Test
- Luo's book narrates the history of Chinese exclusion from the Gold Rush to the 1960s.
- This era was an early, unprecedented experiment in multiracial democracy in America.
Exclusion Law and Violence
- The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barred Chinese laborers, marking the first race-based U.S. immigration ban.
- Hostility culminated in violent "driving out" episodes and pogrom-like attacks against Chinese communities.
