A documentary produced by PBS has exposed government racism with regards to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.
PBS has released a documentary about the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act has looked into a chapter of American history that was hostile towards Chinese immigrants.
As part of PBS’ series American Experience, a special episode titled The Chinese Exclusion Act has exposed how the American government used racism towards Chinese immigrants.
Signed by President Chester A. Arthur on 6 May 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act prohibited all immigration of Chinese labourers.
In the 2-hour PBS special, directors Ric Burns and Li-Shin Yu look into how Congress prohibited both immigration of Chinese labourers as well as preventing Chinese nationals living in the US from becoming citizens.
According to Indie Wire, The documentary shows how anti-Chinese sentiment in the 1840s was rooted in trade with China, opium imports, the California gold rush and the railroads.
The Chinese Exclusion aired on 29 May on PBS but Episode 1 is available online.
