Immigration History of the Chinese and the Japanese - Research Paper Example

Section/# Immigration to Dreams – Struggle and Reality Asian history has been as turbulent as any other continent’s history of the world. It is not easy for people to leave behind their roots, culture, societal comfort and identities and to migrate to any other country and society. It is necessary to understand the factors that prompt such a difficult decision. It is observed that in many a situations these decisions are not based on money alone. Financial security is but one of the many reasons when it comes to immigrating to other country. In this essay we are going to compare and contrast the immigration history of two Asian communities to America, which are Chinese and Japanese. These immigrations took place when America was described as ‘New World’ and ‘Land of opportunities’. However it was definitely an uphill task for these two communities to find home in America. Fighting the disparities these communities have settled themselves well in America only to be a significant section of the community and American society. Reasons for immigration Because of opium wars and end anarchical rule of Qing dynasty China lost its identity as an independent nation and was reduced to a semi-feudal colony of European powers. This drove the masses in rural and central China to look for new opportunities in order to earn money and a stable life. Chinese were not averse to hard labor but wanted good results for the hard work put in. During this time the California Gold Rush on the west coast of America had begun. The mining of precious metal required labor which was proving to be expensive with the available white labor. Hence initially America welcomed the influx of Chinese labor on the west coast. In fact it is noted that American supervisors and companies were initially skeptical of these thin immigrants who physically did not look strong and sturdy at all. However over a period of time Chinese labor proved that they were strong and capable of handling the strenuous physical work. Companies who initially opposed the idea of recruiting Chinese immigrants later asked for more immigrants to join the work force, thus bringing in more population from China. The railroad construction which followed the mining business again proved to be a major work opportunity to Chinese people to come to America. Other businesses such as agriculture, laundry, fisheries also benefitted from the influx of Chinese people to America. Japanese economy’s transition to modern economy was not smooth. Japanese were struggling to keep their heads above the water and float. Large scale unemployment, bankruptcies and civil disorders forced Japanese population to leave their roots behind and look for opportunities elsewhere. Hawaiian sugar industry which was booming attracted Japanese to the state. Like Chinese immigrants, Japanese were also looked upon with skepticism by Americans (Harold et al 65). Hence Chinese settled on the west coast Japanese started with the Hawaii islands. Looking at the reasons of both ethnic groups there are a lot similarities observed. Both groups left country of origin because of political and social unrest and moved for better opportunities in terms of money, societal conditions and better future. Angel Island The gateway to America for Asians was Angel Island located in San Francisco bay. Angel Island was used to deport and detain people coming from China, Japan, India, Thailand, Philippines and all other countries from Asia and South East Asia. Ellis Island which was used as an immigration office for European population was faster in process (Werner 27). There were not many questions asked to the immigrants at Ellis Island and the maximum waiting period was hours to a day. While on Angel Island the conditions were exactly opposite. The detaining period could range from two days to two years. The conditions were deplorable and people staying at Angel Island were reduced to despair and depression. Chinese immigrants were the biggest group of the detainees. Lee and Yung explain, “In contrast, Chinese detainees, who faced both higher rates of detention and longer detention periods than other groups, chafed at the injustices they experience”. Until recently there were several poems discovered on the walls of Angel Island Building where the detainees were held for deportment. Erika Lee and Judy Yung mention following two, in their book Angel Island: “Imprisoned in the wooden building day after day My freedom withheld; how can I bear to talk about it? I look to see who is happy but they only sit quietly. I am anxious and depressed and cannot fall to sleep The days are long, and the bottle constantly empty; my sad mood, even so, is not dispelled. Nights are long and the pillow cold; who can pity my loneliness? After experiencing such loneliness and sorrow Why not just return home and learn to plow the fields” (Denton 177)? This is one of the several poems carved on the walls of wooden buildings. The situation for Chinese as well as Japanese at Angel Island became increasingly difficult when the exclusion laws were imposed. Ling Liu mentions in his next poem the hardships Chinese immigrants had to go through while staying at Angel Island during deportation. “In the quiet of night, I heard, faintly, the whistling of wind. The forms and shadows saddened me; upon seeing the landscape, I composed a poem. The floating clouds, the fog, darken the sky. The moon shines faintly as the insects chirp. Grief and bitterness entwined are heaven sent. The sad person sits alone, leaning by a window” (Denton 177) As per Collection of Angel Island Immigration Station Poetry, this poem is one of the many poems discovered that highlights the plight of Chinese men and women at Angel Island. “I am distressed that we Chinese are in this wooden building It is actually racial barriers which cause difficulties on Yingtai Island. Even while they are tyrannical they still claim to be humanitarian. I should regret my taking the risks of coming in the first place” (Denton 178) Lee and Yung also mention about a Chinese detainee, Mrs. Woo, who said officials “locked us up like criminals in compartments like the cages at the zoo” (Bard et al 109). Unlike the Chinese, Japanese immigrants did not really face a grueling time at Angel Island. Seeing the racial discrimination imposed by Americans on Chinese, Japanese government entered into what is known as ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ with American government (Ow 72). While Chinese mostly escaped from their native country, Japan allowed a certain sect of people to migrate to America. These were usually businessmen, educated people who relocated to America along with their families. Angel Island got converted into an internment camp for Japanese during World War II when roles reversal with China and Japan occurred. Exclusion Law and Legal Status Chinese Exclusion act came into being in the year 1882. While Chinese continued to migrate in America during California Gold Rush, they were fairly accepted as inevitable labor for the arduous work. However Chinese spread out quickly in the area and performed well during the period. As the gold mines and the precious metal started being restrictive the prospering Chinese community suddenly became a target for resentment. Laws prevented Chinese from owning mines and the product of mines. The after effects of Civil War during this time were clearly seen around. War always leaves ravages and resentment which got directed towards the fast prospering Chinese community. The mine work was taken away from Chinese. After which the labor got diverted to the railroad construction. As they needed to survive in a foreign land Chinese were primarily ok with low wages that were paid to them. This resulted in white labor losing their jobs and added tremendously to the animosity that was already being felt towards Chinese community. By that time there were already millions of Chinese present in America. The law was essentially a product of racial discrimination against Chinese and Asians. The Act defined ban on entry of skilled, unskilled and Chinese employed in mining. For Chinese labor it became increasingly difficult to prove their usefulness and hence retain their work and jobs. American citizenship was denied to Chinese. They had to obtain certificates for re-entry if they left the shores of America. This clause came as a severe blow to Chinese as they were separated from their families forever. They could never go back to their country and get their families in America. This clause also killed the developing fisheries as Chinese could not leave the shore to go deep in the sea for fishing. Chinese were not allowed inter-racial marriages and had to carry certificate residence. If they did not possess the certificate they were deported immediately. The duration of the act was for ten years and upon its expiry the government extended it further (Ko 36). This impacted the existence of Chinese population severely in America. There were no major changes in the clauses of the original act; in fact it was kept unchanged. It was not until the year 1943 when agitation against Chinese died the act was relaxed and changed its form allowing concessions. This resulted in Chinese communities coming together and sticking to each other. Taking cue from this act Canada imposed similar act on Chinese community in Canada, which devastated Chinese community further in both countries (Hoskins 261). This act generated bitterness in Chinese community and all the more bound them together. They were forced to live in ghettos which were known as Chinatowns. They were not allowed to merge in the central stream of American society. Japanese started with Hawaii sugar industry and moved slowly to mainland. Although ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ was meant to restrict influx of Japanese into America it in fact accelerated the number of people who wished to migrate to America for better future and prospects. Although they did not suffer brutal legal suffocation as that of Chinese, Japanese still faced discrimination. Unlike the Chinese the first generation Japanese known as Issei fought discrimination in many ways. They protested against the suffocating laws while giving and making a few concessions in order to stay and survive in their adopted country (Echols 2). However as the anti-Chinese wave gathered heat, it also engulfed Japanese and other East Asian communities. Segregation started happening from educational sector and later extended to work areas. Japanese were already unable to get citizenship in America and immigration was restricted vide implementation of naturalization act. The situation worsened during both World Wars. Initially China was not on the friend list of America. In fact the friendlier ties were with Japan. The political equations changed during World War II with China forging new allies with America and Japan turning a foe. With the disastrous attack on Pearl Harbor the Japanese community in America lost its ground completely. They were excluded, deprived of their livelihood and were forced into internment. The anti-Japanese wave also resulted into communal massacres in the country. This emphasizes the deep prejudice which got cultivated because of economic reasons and increasing insecurity in the local community. This prejudice only harmed the image of America as land of equal opportunity and equality. Societal Status of women and cultural difference Chinese and Japanese communities were isolated by law. As Japanese had initially migrated along with their families they were slightly in a better position than Chinese who had no hopes of returning to their families due to Exclusion laws. Due to the Chinese culture of wife taking care of in laws and family, many Chinese men had travelled alone to America. They also intended to settle first and then go back to their own country to get their families. However they could not go back for fear of losing entry into America again. Thus they were separated from their families and loved ones and which also resulted into a terribly skewed gender ratio in Chinese communities. The identity of Chinese men was obscure and struggling in the dark and in case of women it became all the more difficult. In the early immigration days existence of Chinese women was not recognized by the law. The other reason for not so many Chinese women travelling to America was purely financial. The peasants and miners who left China to join California gold rush scraped for their ticket. They gathered money from their relatives to pay for their visas and tickets. They could not afford to buy another few tickets for their families which resulted in separation with promise to come back. Understandably as the law banned them further from leaving the shores of America, many first generation Chinese dies in exclusion in America without seeing their families ever again. A severe blow to Chinese female community came with Page Act of 1875 which barring a few merchant wives declared importing of Chinese women for prostitution and earning vide immoral means. This act further banned Chinese women from entering into America. With no inter racial marriages allowed, Chinese men community was largely termed as a bachelor community and prevented white men from marrying Chinese omen even if they would be second generation in America. Angel Island deportation further added to the woes of Chinese women. There was a ban on socialising; no food and conditions were deplorable. It was natural for Chinese women to ask to be sent back to their own country where at least they had their families. Chinese women continued their traditions of footbinding, taking care of their families in America as well. They were often subject to exhibition and ridicule all around America for queer sizes of their feet. With great influence of Confucianism and Buddhism over Chinese population, women were groomed to look after household duties. In America however the situation changed for women drastically. Their earning became increasingly necessary for their families’ survival. Women started coming out of their confinement and slowly and steadily became the support of the family as an earning member. Japanese women travelled with their husbands to America. In the later generations pictures of probable brides were sent by extended family members for suitable boys to marry. Although the second generation Japanese were Americans by birth they preferred to marry girls from their own country (Daniels 3). These picture brides arrived in America to unite with their respective husbands. However upon coming to America they were disillusioned. They came from well to do family backgrounds and the conditions they had to put up with were deplorable. In addition they had to learn various tasks to cope with economic disparity and survive in a foreign country. Although the communities stayed together, these brides were often homesick, overworked and unhappy. Both communities tried their best to incorporate changes to adapt to the society in America. Although first generation Japanese adapted to the society around they consciously cultivated Japanese culture in their children. They made it a point to teach Japanese language to their children and celebrated Japanese festivals (Cresswell et al 394). Chinese women unsure of themselves earlier were very protective about their families. Slowly as the children came out of Chinese moulds they could embrace the culture of American society. Although the changes were gripping them, both communities held their roots and maintained ties with their originality and culture for a long time. Work life and Economic conditions Chinese immigrants often came from poor and vulnerable backgrounds. Growing poverty and corruption in the native country forced them to look at lucrative options abroad. The rapid growth of Chinese community was curtailed by the Exclusion act followed by a ruling in 1853 that Chinese cannot testify against white men. This ruling opened the floodgates of discrimination and violence against Chinese community. This ruling also destroyed the chances of economic progress of Chinese in America. Based on the clan system Chinese-American social organizations were formed. Those who did not belong to clans formed their own tribes known as ‘tongs’. This clan association was known as Chinese Six Companies which later got rechristened as Chinese consolidated benevolent Association. This association helped Chinese immigrants to settle down in America. The tongs however were more rebellious in nature and due to lopsided gender ratio was heavily involved in prostitution. With the gold rush coming to an end Chinese diverted themselves to laundry, fishing, restaurants, house help and being servants as well. The earnings were low as compared to white people but it was enough to keep them going. Till the second phase of migration we observe that Chinese were not very affluent in their earning as well as earning. They were also spreading out to replace African Americans in agri-business. However they did not stay in agriculture for a longer time and got into setting up of their own businesses. They were known as a hardworking and diligent lot which earned them a very good reputation. Some of them grew in the hierarchy to become middlemen themselves. The factories began to churn high productivity due to hiring of Chinese labor. They were non-complaining and were ready to work in low wages. They were in demand everywhere they went. They contributed to leather industry, woolens and clothing, cigar and tobacco industry and even sewing. They became an indispensable workforce helping the economy to stabilize by boosting high production and cutting the costs. However they received very little in return for the efforts they put in. Initially Japanese agricultural labor was sought to boost the sugar industry in Hawaii. People who had passports travelled to America with dreams of rich life and earning money. However upon reaching the country they realized that it is not as coveted a job as it had seemed. However they continued to work diligently for their progress and in the process also started moving towards the mainland. They initially started as laborers who were bachelors but as they brought in their families and wives from Japan, they became family-oriented population. The dynamics of their economic condition also changed accordingly. Husband and wife both worked hard in the family supporting the family income as much as they can. Later they established themselves in variety of businesses ranging from retailing, food to clothing. By the time of Pearl Harbor attack Japanese were an indispensable part of the community although laws prevented them from legal rights of US citizenship. During interment as per the doctrine issued every individual who had Japanese ancestry was singled out and deported. This resulted in a serious setback to economic conditions of Japanese immigrants. They had to leave their jobs and businesses behind and were economically destroyed. Post internment Japanese Americans had to struggle to restore to a stable economic condition. Conclusion America is considered to be a cultural melting pot for centuries across the world. People across the world have been migrating to America for want of better opportunities and life. Chinese and Japanese immigration history in America goes to prove the same point. The authors of Angel Island: Immigration gateway to India state in their book “both America’s welcome to immigrants and its history of immigration restriction” and “the contradictions inherent in America’s celebratory mythos of immigration and the reality that immigration policies reinforced race, class, and gender hierarchies” (Kvidera 514). The history of immigration in any country is understandably not without struggles. It is not easy for an immigrant to leave his roots behind and settle down in a foreign land. An individual always takes such a drastic step under forced or compulsive situations. If the country he is migrating to is not a welcoming place then life becomes all the more difficult for him. Then it becomes a daily struggle of survival oscillating between the two ends of hope and despair. We can sense these oscillations when we go through the Asian American immigration history. Ironically people migrating from Europe to America were migrants as well but the treatment to them greatly differed due to racial prejudices of Americans. Immigrants contribute equally to the host country’s welfare and economic welfare. They are more apt to work diligently as they need to sustain and survive. It is very unfortunate that we forget the contribution of these very people. This paper is not without the purpose of remembering them and their hard work for our betterment. Works Cited Barde, Robert, and Gustavo J. Bobonis. "Detention At Angel Island." Social Science History 30.1 (2006): 103-136. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Dec. 2012. Cresswell, Tim, and Gareth Hoskins. "Place, Persistence, And Practice: Evaluating Historical Significance At Angel Island, San Francisco, And Maxwell Street, Chicago." Annals Of The Association Of American Geographers 98.2 (2008): 392-413. Academic Search Complete. Web. 11 Dec. 2012. Daniels, Roger. 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