Summary: In an effort to bring some understanding to the recent proposed call for a resolution to formally acknowledge and express regret for banning Chinese immigration and other violated rights of the Chinese settlers, we examine the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act. The resolution was introduced by L.A.'s very own Rep. Judy Chu, the first Chinese American elected to the US Congress. It is also co-sponsored by Rep. Judy Biggert of Illinois and Rep. Mike Coffman of Colorado. The resolution is calling on Congress to express regret for the passage of several laws between 1882 and 1904 that violated the fundamental civil rights of Chinese-Americans. In today's episode of the China History Podcast we look at the history behind this resolution and why it is important to understand the past in order to be better informed about the issues of today.
