In Lee’s story, I learned about how the transpacific journey came to fruition as a result of Europes fascination and basically obsession with The East in comparison to them. I was already aware that many Asians migrated from the East in search of a better life but I was not made aware of the extent of their perilous journey. What I was not aware of was the awful conditions they were subjected to. This surprised me more than anything because of how the European imagination of Asia was so fantasized. You would think they would treat the inhabitants of that land well (wishful thinking I suppose). I already knew of some of the Asians that were brought back as slaves but was not made aware that this journey seemed to parallel similar missions to west Africa, current day Mexico and the rest of Latin America post 1492. Lee mentions how Crusaders “rediscovered” Asia in 1095 on a mission. This obsession with converting all of the world to Christianity was also an ongoing thing during their 200 year long crusade journey’s. Reasons for some Asians (specifically those who were to make the roundtrip journey to the New World and back to the Philippines) motivated them to travel to the Americas as they were convinced fortune laid in the New World. Similar to the readings before on the Indian migration from Calcutta to British Guiana, conditions on the ship were so horrendous. Many were also not paid their full wages until they made it back on the return journey. Information I was utterly shocked at. It is believed actually that one of the first wave of Asian settlers were Filipinos who arrived in Alto California around 1769. In addition, Filipinos and Chinese were among the first crew to arrive in larger masses.
Most narratives we hear today have similar themes with different intentions. America continues to be seen as a land of opportunity for many coming here to immigrate. These might range from attending a university here to receive a better quality of education, a job opportunity, wanting to raise a family in a more stable political climate, or seeking the land of freedom and opportunity narrative. I wish I didn’t have to say this but reading this made me see some overlap between immigration conditions (and migration) today and immigration during the transpacific voyages. For example, we have better standards of hygiene aboard ships and an advance in technology for various modes of transportation. Although these conditions have greatly approved and the international condemning of human trafficking, we still see a large portion of migrants seeking refuge here in the Americas (and other places if they make it) the journey is still very much dangerous/perilous. And often times their means of migration seeking refuge is also illegal. Human trafficking is also still in existence with many women and children being taken from their native land as laborers and sex slaves (yes this still exist and if anyone is interested there is a great documentary of it on youtube about the Vietnamese mail order brides to foreign men). I think one of the reasons these changes in migration have changed a bit is because of globalization. With so many different countries participating in efforts at changing the standard for immigration and migration, many \companies. especially those in aiding with migration have vert strict rules now. I also believe this is especially true for women. Lee mentions the first Chinese woman was thought to have arrived in a new York City Harbor around November 1834. Thinking back how women most likely prior to this would have NEVER thought to immigrate/migrate to unknown land is still pretty prevalent today with migration as well. Many women immigrate from Asia to seek better opportunities, while also many migrate to escape abuse, persecution, seek asylum, to escape political calamity etc. I found this entire reading very shocking but also simultaneously not surprising considering prior conquest at the hands of the Portuguese and Spanish.
“For example, we have better standards of hygiene aboard ships and an advance in technology for various modes of transportation. Although these conditions have greatly approved and the international condemning of human trafficking, we still see a large portion of migrants seeking refuge here in the Americas (and other places if they make it) the journey is still very much dangerous/perilous. And often times their means of migration seeking refuge is also illegal.”
I agree, it is so sad that this is still a problem. Even though travel conditions have improved for people who can afford it, the people who are most exploited are still treated as property or as criminals. Their journeys are the ones with the most danger and health risk. Yet this also has an echo in the past, when clergy, officials, overseers, and nobleman traveling overseas were given the best room and board of the time, contrasted with the sailors freezing to death on the deck.
Nina, I do agree with you that globalization has changed migration. Now many Immigrants from other Asian countries, now realize that America is not the only country that can migrate. They can also migrate to places where they don’t feel discrimination.