“Chinese Exclusion Act” explores law that targeted a nationality
‘Chinese Exclusion Act’ explores law that targeted a nationality
The ChineseAmerican story isn’t often heard.
Paul Jew wants to change that.
This is why the Albuquerque Chinese American Film Festival is showcasing two very important films, as well as a panel discussion.
“This is the first time we’re doing an all-day event,” says Jew, chairman of the festival. “We’ve done some different things, and we’re hoping that the community comes out to learn more about this culture.”
The event begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, with a screening of Ric Burns and Yi-Shun Yu’s documentary “The Chinese Exclusion Act.”
The documentary tells the story of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which was signed on May 6, 1882, by President Chester A. Arthur.
The federal legislation singled out as never before a specific race and nationality for exclusion — making it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here ever to become U.S. citizens.
The documentary examines the economic, cultural, social, legal, racial and political dimensions of the law; the forces and events that gave rise to it; and the effect it had, and continues to have, on American culture and identity.
“The law wasn’t repealed until 1943,” Jew says. “This documentary tells the human stories and its impact. We’re breaking it up into two parts. This was the first law to exclude an ethnic group and a race of people. It’s a topic that is very relevant right now. Even though it happened in 1882, we feel there are lots of things that can be learned.”
Lunch will be provided for free by Panda Express, and Jew says registration is required for planning purposes.
After the film, at
2:15 p.m. Marion Kwan will speak about her experiences as a civil rights worker in Mississippi in 1965-66.
At 3:45 p.m., the documentary “The Finding Cleveland Experience” will screen.
The documentary follows a family’s search for its ancestral roots.
“We’re going to talk about the documentaries’ key stories,” Jew says. “It’s about the conversation and educating people on some of the history that we’ve never learned.”
The event is free to the public.
More information can be found by going to eventbrite.com and searching for “We are American.”