Immigrant A (Chinese)

Birth

Jun 4, 1835

I was born in Bejing China. I have 6 siblings. I am the oldest one my family. My parents are very stressed about money. I thought I could help them out. I came to America to get a job and mine for the gold. I blow mountain sides up and make sure that I am save. The purpose for me to write this is so I can explain what I had to go through when I was am immigrant. I would like to gain independence. I want to be called a citizen.

The Way to America

Mar 26, 1848

More InformationI got sent away to work on the mines. A boat started to come way. I knew where i was going and I was excited and nervous at the same time. I go on the boat. There was so many people heading the same place. I was wondering what are we going to do when we get there. We are going through a storm. There wasn't such good food there.

Angle Island

Apr 9, 1848

I am arriving to Angle Island I was thinking what I had to do to get into America. They did send me here for a mining so I would think that it would be easy. It is a painstaking way that they have to check if i can go into America. I have heard of this kind of thing but never really thought it would be me.

Racism

Mar 28, 1850

I am experiancing a lot of rude comments from the white people. I started to think to myself why do they have the easy jobs and get paid more than I do. I think it is the way I look. I don't know what is wrong with me. IS it the way I look or the way that I speak. I just want to work and earn money for my family so that I can let them come over to America.,

Working on Railroads

Apr 1, 1882

More Imformation I am wortking on the rail roads with so many other workers. I dont really like this job as much at all. I am trying to figure out what I should do next. I want to make sure that my family gets to America.

Chinese Exclusion Act

Jun 27, 1882

The Chinese Exclusion Act made sure that chinese immigrants didn't come to America. This means that the ratio of chinese was high and they didn't want them anymore. The sex ratio to men and women was very low. There was more women than men. With this act inplace I wont be able to send my family over here. This is a problem for me.

Trying to get an education

Apr 2, 1886

I am trying to do something in my life besides just sit her and work all day and get paid for dirty work. I want to become more than just a miner or someone. I want to be smart like the other white people are in my town. What if I could become a lawyer and acually make something of myself? That would be something worth seeing.