Ramtin Arablouei

Wong Kim Ark's parents, Wee Lee and Wong C. Ping, came to the United States, like many Chinese immigrants, looking for work. Most of these immigrants were men coming to build the railroads or to work as agricultural field hands or to search for gold in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Wong Kim Ark's parents did something different.

Wong Kim Ark's parents, Wee Lee and Wong C. Ping, came to the United States, like many Chinese immigrants, looking for work. Most of these immigrants were men coming to build the railroads or to work as agricultural field hands or to search for gold in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Wong Kim Ark's parents did something different.

They opened what was basically a grocery store in San Francisco.

They opened what was basically a grocery store in San Francisco.

They opened what was basically a grocery store in San Francisco.

And at some point in the early 1870s, the records aren't totally clear. They welcomed a new baby into the world, Wong Kim Ark.

And at some point in the early 1870s, the records aren't totally clear. They welcomed a new baby into the world, Wong Kim Ark.

And at some point in the early 1870s, the records aren't totally clear. They welcomed a new baby into the world, Wong Kim Ark.

This is probably because Chinese people were not welcome in many other parts of San Francisco. And this pattern followed in other cities with growing Chinese populations. In response, Chinatowns popped up in cities all over the U.S. It was a way for Chinese immigrants to band together, form communities, and try to keep themselves safe in an increasingly hostile country.

This is probably because Chinese people were not welcome in many other parts of San Francisco. And this pattern followed in other cities with growing Chinese populations. In response, Chinatowns popped up in cities all over the U.S. It was a way for Chinese immigrants to band together, form communities, and try to keep themselves safe in an increasingly hostile country.

This is probably because Chinese people were not welcome in many other parts of San Francisco. And this pattern followed in other cities with growing Chinese populations. In response, Chinatowns popped up in cities all over the U.S. It was a way for Chinese immigrants to band together, form communities, and try to keep themselves safe in an increasingly hostile country.

But sometimes these enclaves became a target.

But sometimes these enclaves became a target.

But sometimes these enclaves became a target.

Where did all this anger towards Chinese immigrants come from? Most people in the U.S. probably would have never encountered a Chinese immigrant. Yet in the last half of the 19th century, anti-Chinese sentiment was everywhere.

Where did all this anger towards Chinese immigrants come from? Most people in the U.S. probably would have never encountered a Chinese immigrant. Yet in the last half of the 19th century, anti-Chinese sentiment was everywhere.

Where did all this anger towards Chinese immigrants come from? Most people in the U.S. probably would have never encountered a Chinese immigrant. Yet in the last half of the 19th century, anti-Chinese sentiment was everywhere.

There really wasn't much truth to this idea. Chinese immigrants made up a very tiny percentage of the population of the United States in the 19th century. But this narrative, pushed by politicians and printed in the newspapers, became increasingly accepted.

There really wasn't much truth to this idea. Chinese immigrants made up a very tiny percentage of the population of the United States in the 19th century. But this narrative, pushed by politicians and printed in the newspapers, became increasingly accepted.

There really wasn't much truth to this idea. Chinese immigrants made up a very tiny percentage of the population of the United States in the 19th century. But this narrative, pushed by politicians and printed in the newspapers, became increasingly accepted.