Learning by Learning

As we come to the end of Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Month, it’s important to be reminded of the Chinese Exclusion Act. This legislation, enacted in 1882,

was fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment and originally prohibited Chinese immigration for ten years. The law was renewed many times until it was relaxed in 1943, and the 1965 Immigration Act finally allowed significant Chinese immigration.

The Chinese Exclusion Act is a poignant illustration of a law that set a tone of

institutionalized racism that has had long-term consequences for our country. Understanding the ways in which racism has been written into laws and policies is fundamental to fostering beloved community.

Sandy Thompson for the Racial Justice Planning Group