Chinese Americans

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The Lost Ones – Young Chinese Americans Due to harsh immigration laws, in American history, Chinese have often relied on illegal means of entering the United States. For example, in 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act (Chinese Exclusion Act, Documents on Anti-Chinese Immigration Policy.) was passed, the first and only act that restricted immigration from one particular ethnicity. This act restricted immigration of Chinese labourers. In 1888, this act was extended to all Chinese immigrants except for officials, teachers, students, tourists, and merchants. However, not all-prospective immigrants made it to the shores of America safely. The United States is well aware of illegal immigration and rings operating these smuggling operations. Therefore increased vigilance at America's doors has led to the capture of many Chinese illegal immigrants. The result of above brief history of Chinese history in America is that these new comers at the time period of illegal entering of America would eventually result the wave of 3rd generation Chinese population along with Baby Boomers after World War II. The new generation was in the era of Civil Rights movement in the 1950~1970’s. The talented, new 3rd generation possessed not only the despair of having an identity, but also faced the pressure from the elder generation of their origin cultures. It is true and inappropriate that the newer the generation, the more they refuse their own cultures. However, from what it took the elder generations of Chinese/Asian Americans for the younger generation to be able to live under the aegis of liberty, freedom, stable society, and satiating living; I think that the younger generations should be proud of, and respect the elder generation and who they really are. Chinese who still tried to enter the United States needed to pretend that they were merchants. Others pretended to be relatives of people living in the United States. Chinese Americans who returned from visits home (China or Taiwan) and reported births of sons and daughters thereby created flaws, which were often used to bring in immigrants who posed as sons or daughters. Chinese immigrants, eager to start a new life and begin their pursuit of the elusive American dream, do not want to wait their turn in line. Rather they want to begin their journey today, and smugglers and underground networks are more than willing to provide th...

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...tely. Some people believe that the two worlds are mutually exclusive, whereas they should find the western culture and Oriental cultures to be compatible when these two cultures are examined equally, they contribute to the progress or growth of many of the same values, such as hard work and perseverance. Unfortunately, there are still some people who cannot see past the Asian features and consider Chinese Americans foreigners, but there are also Chinese who feel that 'Chinese Americans' are 'sell-outs.' For some, both of these camps represent views that are too uncompromising and narrow. Ultimately, if a person decides to celebrate one culture and exclude the other, they should understand that they are denying a part of who they really are. So, wake up, the lost ones!

Bibliography
- "Angel Island, Jewel of San Francisco Bay", Francis J. Clauss, 1982. Briarcliff Press, Inc. Menlo Park, California. - "Cultural Balancing Act Adds to Teen Angst", JULIE TAMAKI, http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/REPORTS/ASIANS/part2.1.htm - Documents on Anti-Chinese Immigration Policy , Archives of the West http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/wpages/wpgs670/chinxact.htm

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