Assigment 4

It's been a hectic week, but I am trying to get a better understanding on the Chinese Exclusion Act. I called the Chinese Historical Society of America located in San Francisco and asked a few questions about the Chinese Exclusion act. The lady that I was talking to seemed to be distracted so I asked if I can make an appointment to speak to someone who can tell me about the Chinese Exclusion Act and the affects in San Francisco. I made an appointment for Friday wish me luck :). If anyone wants to know how to reach them here is the number- 415-391-1188. I will keep you guys updated.
I also found a video of the Chinese exclusion act on you tube.
-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akC_XNlYeec&feature=related

The San Francisco Building Trades Council (BTC), organized in 1898, actively participated in the anti-Asian agitation that characterized California politics, particularly labor politics, in the late-19th century. They argued that the very presence of Chinese (and, after 1900, Japanese and Korean immigrants as well) dragged down the living standards of white workers.Between 1910 and 1940, there were as many as 175,000 Chinese immigrants detained and processed at Angel Island, San Francisco. Generally, Chinese without family connections in the United States were excluded from entry. The exception to this law was Chinese diplomats. Later, legal loopholes emerged for Chinese merchants and wealthy travelers. At that time, no other racial groups were denied entry into the United States. As a result to this law, "paper-sons" were created. Many Chinese seeking entry bought false papers to show a family connection living in the United States. Often, Chinese residents would list numerous non-existing sons and daughters to try to help bring others of their village or town here. The great earthquake and fire that almost leveled San Francisco facilitated this objective because most, the original records were destroyed.To enforce the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and other subsequent Chinese exclusion laws, the Immigration Station at Angel Island was built in 1910. Chinese arriving in San Francisco were inspected.