Good Faith Michael Luo: Exclusion and Belonging in Immigrant America
May 29, 2025
Michael Luo, Executive Editor at The New Yorker and author of Strangers in the Land, shares his insights on the Asian American experience. He discusses the historical weight of the Chinese Exclusion Act and its connection to current issues of race and identity. Luo recounts personal stories, highlighting the rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic. The conversation navigates the 'perpetual foreigner' stereotype, envisioning a more inclusive America that embraces diverse immigrant narratives and the ongoing quest for belonging.
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Viral Racist Remark Sparks Dialogue
- Michael Luo recounts being told to "go back to China" on a New York street in 2016.
- This incident sparked a viral national conversation on race and Asian American belonging.
Politics Fueled Chinese Exclusion
- Chinese exclusion was driven by intertwined race, economics, and politics.
- Political power struggles on the West Coast fueled scapegoating and racial oppression.
Interwoven Histories of Exclusion
- Exclusion of Asian Americans paralleled oppression of Black and Native peoples.
- These histories collectively shape modern racial dynamics in America.
