The Exclusion-Inclusion of Chinese Americans

A new exhibit at the New-York Historical Society delves into American history, from the perspective of Chinese Americans, an angle rarely presented to a wider public. In fact “Chinese American: Exclusion/Inclusion” represents the first comprehensive mainstream exhibition of the Chinese-American story, according to a SinoVision video report. Two hundred artifacts are included, gathered from museums and families. One of the focal points of the exhibit is the seldom-addressed Chinese Exclusion Act, presented through texts, photos and interactive mediums. The legislation, in effect from 1882 to 1943, was the first major law to bar immigration to the U.S., in this case restricting Chinese laborers.