Asian Pacific Americans’ Social Movements and interest Groups

ASA 002

Yi Zhou

Section 001

Week 1 reading

April 05, 2015

The article “Asian Pacific Americans’ Social Movements and interest Groups” describes how Asian Americans, such as Panethnicity, South Asians, Filipino-American Community, fight for their equal right, increase their influence in political region and protect their fellows when they faced racial violence. I realize that there are some discrimination based on different races, colors and genders. However, I did not know in the nineteenth-century, in order to have safe enclaves, Asian American people faced so many difficulties. I went to the Japan Town in San Francisco before. At that time I just thought it is very beautiful, and it is a good place to visit. After I read this article, I realize that lots of enclaves in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York disappeared due to discrimination by white people who felt threatened by Asian immigrants. The Japan town in San Francisco was even forced to transform into tourist attraction instead of enclave. Lots of residents and small businesses were evicted because of the violence of racists. 

Question: In the 19^th century, why white workers felt threatened by Asian immigrants?