April 2008 - Film Series

Asian American Heritage Month

In honor of Asian American Heritage Month, the CME is screening a 3 part PBS documentary entitled Becoming American: The Chinese Experience. America has been formed by immigrants, however the Chinese experience with immigration is relatively unknown. It's a story of struggle and triumph, progress and sebacks, discrimination and assimilation.

Wednesday, April 9

12:00-2:00 & 3:00-5:00pm
"Gold Mountain Dreams"
In the mid-19th century, the prospects of the California Gold Rush lured many young Chinese men. It illustrates the forgotten role that the Chinese played in settling the West and building part of the Transcontinental Railroad. When the gold strikes dwindled in California, violence and discrimination began for these immigrants

Thursday, April 10

12:00-2:00pm & 3:00-5:00pm
"Between Two Worlds"
The 1882 Exclusion Act prohibited the Chinese from entering the country and becoming citizens. With being denied rights in the new country, and no longer being at home, the Chinese found refuge in Chinatowns. As a crack in exclusion opened up due to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, several Chinese found ways to claim "children" that were able to immigrate. However, they often found tough processing when they reached Angel Island in San Francisco.

Friday, April 11

12:00-2:00pm & 3:00-5:00pm
"No Turning Back"
After WWII the Chinese were embraced by America when China became and American ally. The exclusion laws were repealed and After the Civil Rights Movement, the Chinese began to form the Asian American identity. The struggle to understand where they fit into American culture is always there.