Americas Cultural Past and Ethnographic Reflections

Dear Kim

Living quarters for the Chinese are dank and cramped . The opportunities are bleak and we are treated worse than animals Americans do not respect us . In China , society was ly . We protected our own and others . We have respect for others , the old are cared for by the young and we stood by each other . In China , we have incredible unity , a unity that is not found in America

This is a notion that I just cannot understand . Back home , we have an emphasis on social relations . In America , the

white population looks out for themselves , and only themselves . They harass anyone that are not like them . The white population in America harasses those from other races , including Indians and blacks . This also includes the Chinese , my own people

In America , I am not welcome . I am treated worse than a dog , and it is impossible for me to have a quiet and successful life . I worked on the railroads , I was a farmer in Santa Clara County in California it was a fortunate event that I could continue farming . Now , I am self-employed running a wash house . There are about 70 ,000 other Chinese in California , so I am not alone in my suffering

The neighborhood I am forced to live in is cramped and depressing , but at least this is home , I can escape into my small hut and therefore can escape the harsh and violent treatment of the white man , if only momentarily . I live...