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| The sad history of mistreatment inflicted on Asian immigrants in B.C. is reflected in this image
of a Chinese store in Vancouver, damaged during the infamous September 7, 1907 anti-Asian riot. |
By Bill Chu
NEWS of visible minorities in Metro Vancouver reaching 59 percent of the
population by 2031 has already raised widespread fear, as expressed in comments
on news websites.
Accordingly, we must start preparing the community for 2031, by embracing a new
collective understanding of our shared history.
That history has been clouded for more than a century. A one-sided history is a
tool used to create a ‘host and guest’ relationship between ‘Anglos’ and the ‘visible minorities,’ so the latter will continue to serve the imperial interests of the former.
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With the projected demographic reversal, reconciliation with the ‘visible minorities’ is no longer a choice. It is rather a sign of maturity and speaks of a yearning
for peace.
The good news is that the story has reached a historic climax. As of press time,
New Westminster was scheduled on March 31 to become the first Canadian city to
start collecting suggestions for redemptive actions with the Chinese community.
This is a far-reaching change for the city, which introduced the notorious 1923
Chinese Exclusion Act.
For anyone wondering about the relevance of this old legislation today, it was
introduced at a time when there was fear of the growing ‘yellow peril’ and competition for employment – similar to fears expressed today. Prior to the Act, thousands of Chinese were
targets of the Asiatic Exclusion League.
Many Chinese-owned stores were not allowed to be rebuilt on Front Street after
the fire of 1898. Many suffered due to the city’s policy of not hiring Chinese labourers enacted in 1913. Others were frustrated
by the city’s mysterious termination of the right to use the Chinese cemetery in 1914.
My purpose in bringing these sad things up is not to win an argument – but to win a friend, who also wishes to live in peace by 2031.
Bill Chu is the chair of Canadians For Reconciliation Society.
April 2010
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