"...theories of social Darwinism, which were currently popular in the United States, did indeed convince many that the Chinese were an "inferior race" ready to overwhelm the native stock."
~Corinne K. Hoexter, From Canton to California: The Epic of Chinese Immigration
~Corinne K. Hoexter, From Canton to California: The Epic of Chinese Immigration
During this era, false, and exaggerated stereotypes misrepresented the Chinese, causing prejudice in the white communities. The comic on the right portrays the Chinese as opium smokers. Many did smoke opium, but this was because it was forced upon them by Great Britain. Police records show that opium was abused mostly by white women, not the Chinese. Also, this picture shows the Chinese eating rats. Many miners, white and Chinese, spent most of their day mining until the late hours. Then some miners, desperate for food, would eat rats.
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Other Stereotypes:
The Chinese all gambled:
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The Chinese did not follow American laws:
""It is not right," said an English speaking young Chinaman to a lady recently, "that the Chinese in San Francisco should have to obey American law*. The Chinese laws are enough."
~San Francisco [Calif.]), 15 Nov. 1896. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. |
"The stereotypes of the Chinese focused on the general characteristics that easily distinguished them from whites. Newspapers described any Chinese immigrant as "almond eyed," "spindle legged," "yellow-skinned," "pigtailed," and "bald-pated." Individual attributes mattered little."
~Estelle Lau, Paper Families: Identity, Immigration Administration, and Chinese Exclusion
~Estelle Lau, Paper Families: Identity, Immigration Administration, and Chinese Exclusion
These stereotypes justified the abuse of the Chinese paving the way for a legacy of racism.