The Dark History of the Chinese Execution Act by Robert Chang shows the history of discrimination toward the Chinese in the 19th century in America. 

The video starts with Chei Chang’s story. Chei Chang was a Chinese citizen who resided in America and made a journey home to visit his family. Chei Chang was prepared to return to his native country in 1888, but only a few days previously, President Gover had signed the Scott Act, which made it illegal for immigrants to enter the country again even with proper, legal documents. Not only Chei Chang but also many immigrants’ families were separated. Despite the fact that Chei Chang fought back against the policy by having a legal battle with the American government, even more controversial policies continued which impacted the immigrants around the globe.

Discrimination targeting Chinese immigrants started decades earlier when the Gold Rush had started in California. During this time, there was a great amount of demand for labor, and by this, Chinese immigrants were welcomed and became an essential part of the frontier community. They worked on building roads and mines and helped in laundries, restaurants, general stores, and more. They were even granted the 1868 Burlingame Treaty, which made trading status between the two countries more flexible and allowed unrestricted migration.

However, despite the help and labor Chinese immigrants offered to the U.S., they were poorly treated and were not asked but told to leave their country. Even though time has passed ever since the incident of Chei Chang, these types of racial discrimination still exist and should be abolished. 

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