Asian Americans In The 1930's

Contrary to popular belief, Asian Americans make up just above five percent of America’s current population. The first Asian immigrants were the Chinese; arriving in large numbers during the mid-nineteenth century. Along with the Chinese, America became a host to other Asian ethnic minorities such as Indians, Japanese, Filipinos, and Koreans; all of which were emigrating due to the major global transformations by industrialism, capitalism, and European/American colonialism. A little over five percent of the population doesn’t seem significant however do keep in mind America has over 300 million people, so that is still 15 million people that make up the population; 15 million people that have families, lives, and emotions. In this essay, I
The fast life of the 1920’s had caught up to time; the Stock Market Crash of October 1929 occurred bringing down the entire economy with it. The Great Depression began the 1930’s bringing a new state of economic turmoil and tribulations for its people. Unemployment, lost savings, housing evictions, and starvation flooded the nation; however for Asian Americans this was the “cherry on top” their misery. Asian Americans were already facing prejudice and discrimination, with the Great Depression bringing mass unemployment rates they could not compete with the white Americans who were also out of work as well; the scarcity of jobs led to an even higher racial divide. America unforgivingly put Asian immigrants at the bottom of the racially stratified labor system. Asian Americans were ripped of the right to own land and the right of citizenship and could not stand a chance to the white collar Americans already in power. Though many Asian Americans were
They challenged against America’s neo-imperialism and racism protesting for reform in colleges and universities as well as work organizations and providing social services that many of the American population was receiving (i.e. housing, food, healthcare for the less fortunate, etc). This movement provided solidarity amongst all Asians not just specific races. The solidarity even spread to African, Latino, and Native Americans communities not only in the United