Chinese in Nevada - Term Paper Example

Sue Fawn Chung. The subject matter was controversial since it delved into racial discrimination, which, according to the exhibit, was met by the Chinese immigrants in 1859 when they were apparently prohibited by miners’ administrators in the Gold Hill area from working as miners in the identified Comstock mines (Nevada State Museum). However, their industrious nature led them to own other small business ventures offering services to both Chinese and non-Chinese citizens through their reported service laundries, restaurants, boarding houses and even herbal medicine shops (Nevada State Museum).

Likewise, the alleged completion of the railroad in Nevada in 1869 was attributed predominantly to Chinese immigrants who labored dedicatedly to this endeavor. They reportedly settled within the railroad system in 1870s as a distinct and segregated racial community which was later eventually known Chinatown (Nevada State Museum). I likewise observed the presence of Chinese artifacts with intricate traditional designs that have been effectively preserved for various viewers’ appreciation. There were two ancient jars or receptacles below the Chinese Workers Support the Mines narrative poster which had decorative metal covers.

Other ancient artifacts that were viewed were a long slender decorative staff and a gambling license that was duly preserved. I noted that these artifacts contain symbols, carved images and designs that could still be seen in contemporary Chinese art forms. This simply means that the Chinese race has placed great emphasis in preserving their ancient art works and has maintained traditional values embodied in them. The Chinese people have been known to be artistic and spend a great deal of time in creating intricate designs and carved art forms in various mediums (wood, metal, paintings) which they were able to share as immigrants in Nevada.

The book of the same title written by Chung confirmed the information I gathered from the exhibit regarding the ancient Chinese immigrants manifesting traits of industriousness, as excerpts from her book description indicated that “although many were attracted by mining prospects, the ability to own land, and work in railroad construction projects, they held a wide variety of jobs, including ranching, sheepherding, logging, medicine, merchandising, and gaming. Their restaurants and laundries could be found throughout the state” (Chung 1).

Chung also noted that eventually, the policymakers in the United States have acknowledged the vast contribution of Chinese immigrants in the country and eventually repealed the restrictions to enable them to avail of the same rights accorded to American citizens. Likewise, online published report from The U.S. National Archives and Records Adminstration entitled “Chinese Immigration and the Chinese in the United States” also confirmed the initial discrimination that prevented Chinese migrants from entering the United States: “from 1882 to 1943 the United States Government severely curtailed immigration from China to the United States.

This Federal policy resulted from concern over the large numbers of Chinese who had come to the United States in response to the need for inexpensive labor, especially for construction of the transcontinental railroad”