In this engaging discussion, Michael Luo, the executive editor at The New Yorker and author of "Strangers in the Land," delves into the historical and contemporary experiences of Chinese Americans. He highlights the challenges posed by the Chinese Exclusion Act and the ongoing struggle against anti-Asian racism. Luo shares personal anecdotes and explores themes of loss, resilience, and identity. He emphasizes the significant contributions of Asian Americans to U.S. history while addressing the media's role in shaping public perceptions and the fight for belonging.
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Racial Slur Sparks Book Idea
Michael Luo experienced a racial slur directed at him and his family in 2016 on a New York City street.
This personal incident sparked his journey to explore and write about Chinese-American history and experiences.
insights INSIGHT
Persistent Precarity of Asian Americans
Asian American experience carries a persistent precarity despite achievements.
Anti-Asian sentiment can rapidly flare given political and social triggers.
insights INSIGHT
Chinese Migration and Backlash
Chinese migration reshaped the American West and California during the Gold Rush.
Initial acceptance gave way to violent exclusion driven by economic fears and racism.
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Driven Out: The Forgotten War Against Chinese Americans
Driven Out: The Forgotten War Against Chinese Americans
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Gene Felser
Gene Felser's "Driven Out" delves into the largely forgotten history of anti-Chinese violence and discrimination in America. The book meticulously documents the systematic expulsion of Chinese communities from numerous towns and cities across the country. Felser's research reveals the brutality and injustice faced by Chinese immigrants, highlighting the widespread prejudice and systemic racism that fueled these actions. The book serves as a powerful reminder of a dark chapter in American history and the enduring legacy of these events. It offers a crucial perspective on the ongoing struggle for equality and justice.
Strangers in their own land
Anger and Mourning on the American Right
Arlie Russell Hochschild
In this book, Arlie Russell Hochschild travels from her liberal hometown of Berkeley, California, to the conservative heartland of Louisiana to understand the rise of the Tea Party movement. She profiles individuals such as Mike Schaff, a former oil industry worker whose town was devastated by a drilling accident, and Lee Sherman, who suffered from toxic waste dumping. Hochschild seeks to overcome the 'empathy wall' between liberals and conservatives by exploring the deep emotional and social reasons behind their political views, including feelings of loss, anger, and a sense of betrayal. The book provides a nuanced understanding of why people might vote against their apparent self-interest and argues for the possibility of mutual compassion and understanding between the right and the left.
Interior Chinatown
Charles Yu
In 'Interior Chinatown,' Charles Yu tells the story of Willis Wu, who perceives himself as merely a 'Generic Asian Man' in his own life. Working as a bit player in the fictional police procedural 'Black and White,' Willis dreams of becoming 'Kung Fu Guy,' the most respected role available to someone of his appearance. The novel, written in the format of a screenplay, delves into themes of pop culture, assimilation, and immigration, while critiquing the pervasive stereotypes and racism faced by Asian Americans. As Willis stumbles into the spotlight, he discovers the secret history of Chinatown and the buried legacy of his own family, leading to a profound exploration of identity and the American dream[1][3][5].
In 1889, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the now infamous Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the country. Writing for the majority, Justice Stephen J. Field characterized Chinese migrants as “strangers in the land.” New Yorker editor Michael Luo says that label persists today, even as more than 22 million people of Asian descent now reside in the U.S. In a new book, Luo tells the stories of 19th and 20th century Chinese migrants and analyzes the long tail of contemporary anti-Asian racism and violence while championing those who fought against it. His new history is “Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America.”
Guests:
Michael Luo, executive editor, The New Yorker; author, “Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America”
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