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How do you think notions of "race" and racial superiority in the late 1800s shape relations between the Chinese and their American neighbors? What other factors do you think affected those relationships?
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Do you think attitudes toward Chinese-Americans have changed? If so, when, why, or how?
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During WWII, public opinion turned against Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor and thousands were interned. Meanwhile Chinese Americans were suddenly embraced as China became an ally. Can you think of other examples of how one group's victimization might benefit another?
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Do you think that older generations of immigrants had different views about assimilation than newer immigrants? What about within families? How can attitudes shift from first to second to third generation immigrant families?
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What kinds of contributions have Chinese-American immigrants made that are now a part of the fabric of American culture?
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Do you think that the stereotype of Asian-Americans as the "model minority" helps or hurts them? To what degree and why?
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Using the Chinese experience as an example, consider your experience or that of other immigrant groups in the United States. What factors do you think shape relations between immigrants and their American neighbors today? What similarities do you notice between past and present? How do you account for any differences?
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How much of "old world" culture do you think immigrants must surrender to become American?
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