I learned that the first Asians to come to America were Filipino, which I found surprising. I was also surprised by the Mexican saint Mirrha-Catarina de San Juan who has Asian origins, and that the first recorded Asian mayor in the Americas, Juan de Paez, was a Japanese man in Zapopan, Mexico during the 1630s. Another thing I learned from the video was that it was Hou Kwa who gave a half a million silver Mexican pesos to Forbes and advised him to invest in the railroad. I already knew that the Chinese had their own exploration period during the Ming dynasty, but they did not settle colonies because the emperor decided to close off the country to the world. This in part motivated expeditions to China. A structural reason for Asians to go to the Americas was that Spanish ships relied on Filipino sailors’ expertise. They were praised as masters of the sea, but individually they were treated horribly, so they deserted the ships, staying in New Spain hoping to find a better life in Acapulco and other cities along the Pacific coast of Mexico. The Portuguese brought slaves from India and Malaysia because of stereotypes that they would sell for high prices as concubines, cooks, seamstresses, and servants. The structural reason for this treatment was because of Portugal’s early influence and colonies in India. As slaves they were not given the opportunity to have an individual reason to be in the Americas. The model minority stereotype of Asian Americans being hard working, obedient and “industrious” is uncomfortably similar to the Portuguese slaver’s description. In some ways the reasons for migration have stayed the same, Western imperialism and economic interests create conditions that have motivated Asians to immigrate to the Americas seeking a better life. Back then they were freezing to death on the decks of European ships, today they’re slaving away in sweatshops dreaming of escaping their harsh conditions, perhaps looking for that “American dream.”
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Hey Garey, I think it is pretty ironic that Asians left America to seek a better life, but eventually have to try to accustom to the American life without being stereotyped. It is like they leave the harsh conditions to face society that doesn’t appreciate what they have to offer. I also agree with your points from the reading. It is evident that money and greed from the masters made these Asians migrate to America to get away from control.
Hi Garey,
Your last comment about still dreaming about the “American Dream” hits so hard. I also enjoyed your reference to the model minority and how it overlaps with the Portuguese description. That too was very uncomfortable for me to be made aware of.
I was also very surprised that the Filipinos were among the first Asians to migrate to America, I had no idea. Also, Alexis brings up a good point regarding Asians coming to America to seek a better life. Although they may leave behind many struggles in their homeland, there can still be many challenges as they start a life in a completely new country. I can imagine it can be extremely difficult trying to integrate yourself in a whole new culture.
Hey Garey,
I was also really surprised by most of what you’d listed! I think the appearance of Asians throughout history was really startling to a lot of us. I’m not sure why I was under the impression that Chinese people would have been the first Asian immigrants, I believe the rail roads era is the first thing that comes to mind for me.
The parallels drawn between modern day immigration and the distant days of slavery and servitude are definitely not far off in ways. It’s interesting to me that you’ve drawn this line between the two as if the “American Dream” is what enslaves immigrants. It makes perfect sense, seeing as how immigrants work in poor labor conditions, often doing two jobs, dealing with racism and boundaries left and right.