Happenings

Chinese American History Network

Media Alert

For Immediate release:

November 28,  2012

Fremont Public Library to host exhibit and speaker series on the Chinese Exclusion laws and the recent Congressional resolutions expressing regret.

The “Remembering 1882” exhibit and accompanying lecture series raises awareness of the legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Laws, and the recent (2011-2012) U.S. Senate and House of Representatives resolutions expressing regret for the passage and enforcement of these discriminatory laws.

What:  On January 5, 2013, the Fremont Public Library in conjunction with the Chinese American History Network will open for public viewing the acclaimed history exhibit “Remembering 1882.” On the opening day of the exhibit noted Chinese American historian and author Philip Choy will kick-off a four speaker Chinese American History lecture series that takes place each Saturday morning in the library during the month of January to accompany the exhibit.

In 1882 Congress passed The Immigration Act of 1882 –  to prevent people of Chinese descent from entering the United States. This law broke  apart families, reduced the Chinese American population in half, and denied Chinese immigrants the right to become citizens. Remembering 1882 explores the historical debate around the Exclusion Act from its origins through its full repeal in 1968,  and the importance of habeas corpus to the Chinese American struggle for civil rights.

On Saturday January 5, 2013, speakers from some of the key Chinese American civil rights organizations that worked for the recent Senate and House resolutions expressing regret for the exclusion laws, will open the series with brief insights into the work involved in achieving these statements of regret. Historian Philip Choy will kick off the lecture series with a talk on the exclusion laws and San Francisco’s Chinatown, followed by a book signing.

The exhibit “Remembering 1882” is a traveling exhibit designed and made available to the public by the Chinese Historical Society of America. Co-sponsoring organizations: Alameda County Public Library, Asian Pacific Islander Public Affairs Association (APAPA), Chinese American Citizens Alliance (CACA), Chinese American History Network (CAHN), Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA), Citizens for Better Community (CBC), and the South Bay Chinese Club.

Why: The series of Chinese Exclusion laws first passed in 1882 and later renewed and augmented until initial repeal in 1943, reflected decades of public debate and American public sentiment. The Chinese exclusion laws and their impacts are an essential part of the nation’s history. How these laws, that flew in the face of the human rights guarantees enumerated in the U.S. Consitution, came about, how they were repealed, and how the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives  came to issue resolutions disavowing these laws in 2011 and 2012, is something that every American should know.

Who:   (1.) Noted historian Philip Choy will talk about  the connection between the exclusion laws and the development of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Philip will also talk about his new book and conduct a book signing as part of his presentation on January 5, 2013.

(2.) Historian and author Judy Yung will speak on the role of Angel Island and the exclusion laws. Judy will conduct  a book signing following her talk on January 12, 2013.

(3.) Genealogist Christine DeVillier on January 19, 2013 will present a talk on conducting Chinese American genealogical research and the special challenges and resources confronting Chinese Americans beginning their family history research.

(4.) Chinese American history activist Geraldine Low-Sabado, a fifth generation descendant of the Chinese American fishing village founded in Pacific Grove in the 1860s, talks about the village and the squid fishing industry on January 26, 2013. A screening of the CSUMB short documentary “By Light of Lanterns” will be a part of her presentation.

Where:  This history exhibit and lecture series takes place at the Fremont Main branch of the Alameda County Public Library. The library is located at 2400 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont, CA 94538.

When: The exhibit “Remembering 1882” will be available for viewing during normal business hours for the Fremont Public library – Saturdays from 10-6pm, Monday and Tuesday from 1-9pm, Wednesdays from  12-6pm, and Fridays from 11-6pm. The exhibit runs from Saturday January 5, 2013 through Thursday February 28, 2013.

Historian and author Philip Choy speaks and does a book signing on Saturday January 5, 2013 at 10:30am.

Historian and author Judy Yung speaks and does a book signing on Saturday January 12, 2013 at 10:30 am.

Genealogist Christine DeVillier talks on conducting Chinese American genealogical research on Saturday January 19, 2013 at 11:00 am.

Fifth generation descendant of the Chinese American fishing village established in Pacific Grove, California in the 1860’s Geraldine Low-Sabado talks about her ancestors and the Chinese American squid fishing village in Pacific Grove on Saturday January 26, 2013 at 10:30.

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