The New Colossus

1. The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

4. Chinese as a microcosm • Burlingame Treaty (1868) • the inherent and inalienable right of man to change his home and allegiance, and also the mutual advantage of the free migration and emigration of their citizens and subjects, respectively for purposes of curiosity, of trade, or as permanent residents • Chinese subjects visiting or residing in the United States, shall enjoy the same privileges, immunities, and exemptions in respect to travel or residence, as may there be enjoyed by the citizens or subjects of the most favored nation • Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) • This act provided an absolute 10-year moratorium on Chinese labor immigration. For the first time, Federal law proscribed entry of an ethnic working group on the premise that it endangered the good order of certain localities.

5. The Immigrant story • Where did they come from? • Why did they leave? • Where did they settle? • What did they do? • How did they live?

6. Assimilation vs Seclusion • Assimilation – becoming part of the culture • Speaking English, eating different food, wearing the same clothes • Younger immigrants and second wave immigrants tended to assimilate • Seclusion • Maintain old ways, old language, traditional diet and dress • Older immigrants or those who were able to find work with a proprietor of the same culture

7. Urban Living – the tenements