As the immigration debate rolls on—and as our nation marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May—we listen to the stories of Nancy Wang, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, as she describes her family’s challenges in the new world.
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With the U.S. Senate expected to take up broad immigration reform this year, the immigration debate is likely to heat up once again.

Folks on both sides of the debate are intensely passionate about this emotional issue: those opposed to reform are naturally concerned about jobs, especially in this faltering economy where unemployment remains at an all-time high. Those in favor cite, among other reasons, America’s tradition of giving new people —“the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free”—opportunities in the new world.

While the modern debate focuses almost exclusively on Mexico, nearly all immigrant groups to the U.S. have been the subject of contention. For centuries, immigrants from Europe, Africa, Central America and Asia have faced hardship and hostility in the United States. The Chinese were one such immigrant group that faced great difficulty for more than a century. And though they were subject to highly discriminatory housing and employment laws—and to outright mob violence and harassment—Chinese immigrants fought to make their own living, and along the way, made tremendous contributions to America’s infrastructure, economy and culture.

As our nation marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, we take a look back at the Chinese experience, through the stories of Nancy Wang, a Chinese-American woman who grew up in Chicago and comes from a family that arrived in California by boat from China in the 1850s.

In her stories, Wang explores the struggle her ancestors had to be accepted and to make a living, first as immigrants and later as second and third generation Americans in California. Wang’s stories reveal often overlooked instances of de facto and legal discrimination while also examining her own personal, family history. Wang’s stories give us a personal look at American immigration, and show how one group of immigrants were ultimately made stronger by the challenges they faced in a country that often struggled to deliver the opportunities it promised.

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“Immigrant Story.” Nancy Wang traces generations
of her family’s experience in America.

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“Mom’s Story.” In this remembrance, Wang explores
her relationship with her mother, and her parents’
experience as Chinese immigrants.

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A corresponding lesson plan suitable for use in high school – adult learning environments is available free of charge by visiting RaceBridgesforSchools.com. This lesson plan will help students of all ages become aware of the discrimination and resilience of Chinese American immigrants who sought to find a unique Asian American identity.

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STORY CREDIT:

Copyright ©2010 Storyteller Nancy Wang. Used with permission.

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