An Emerging Museum Curator
A Sixth Grader’s Vision for a New Exhibit
On Sunday, August 27, while most sixth graders throughout America were enjoying their last days of summer yet dreading the inevitable start of a new school year, Orange County 6th grader Jennifer Li found herself standing before Michael Truong, the director of the Downtown Los Angeles Chinese American Museum and, with butterflies in her stomach, presenting to Mr. Truong her proposal for an exhibit that could reshape our understanding of the Chinese community’s history in Orange County.
Jennifer’s proposed exhibit, titled “The History of the Chinese in Orange County from the Mid-1870s to the Present,” was far from an average middle school project. It was a comprehensive exploration of the trials, triumphs, and transformative journey of the Chinese community in her home county.
At the outset of her CAM presentation, Jennifer suggested the exhibit be divided into five distinct sections.
- The first to dive into the early presence of Chinese immigrants in America before they found their way to Orange County, primarily working in gold mining and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
- The second segment was set to showcase the initial Chinese settlers in Orange County. Many of them arrived in the mid-1870s, escaping the chaotic Taiping Rebellion in China and found work as laborers in diverse industries such as vineyards, celery farms, orange groves, and the fishing industry.
- The third part planned to shed light on the harsh realities faced by these settlers, particularly highlighting the unsettling 1871 massacre of Chinese residents in LA and the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.
- The fourth section aimed to spotlight the resilience of the Chinese community, tracing their journey from working as laborers to owning successful businesses, establishing social organizations, and even serving in the military during World War II.
- The final segment was planned to be a tapestry of personal narratives of present-day Chinese Americans in Orange County. Here, Jennifer intended to weave her own family’s journey from Guangdong, China, to America in 2017.
A significant part of Jennifer’s presentation was the engaging, nearly 45-minute long, Q&A session that followed.
Director Truong’s first question was, “Jennifer, you’ve indicated that the first Chinese immigrants who came to California weren’t solely involved in gold mining or working on the railroad. They also functioned as ‘laborers.’ Could you clarify what kind of labor they did beyond gold mining or railroad work?”
Jennifer, with an impressive level of confidence for a sixth grader, responded, “Yes, in addition to gold mining and working on the railroads, the Chinese who first came to America, and especially to our West Coast, played a super important role in supporting the Chinese gold miners and the Chinese who worked to build the railroads. In other words, they served as cooks, providing meals for the miners and railroad workers. They also sold food and supplies that the miners and railroad workers needed. Some even made cigars, a popular leisure item back then. And they also offered services such as laundry, ensuring the workers had clean clothes.”
Intrigued, Truong continued, “You suggested that the Taiping Rebellion was a key reason why many Chinese immigrated to Orange County. Could you elaborate on this?”
Jennifer replied, “Yes, the Taiping Rebellion was a major civil war in China in the mid-1800s. It led to a lot of suffering and turmoil, which encouraged many Chinese people to seek better lives in places like Orange County.”
Next, Truong asked about the professions of the Chinese immigrants in Orange County. “You said some early Chinese immigrants worked as fishermen. What kind of fishing are we talking about here?”
Jennifer clarified, “They were mostly Pacific Ocean fishermen, and that’s because there aren’t that many freshwater fish in Orange County. Orange County is located in Southern California, and there aren’t many rivers or lakes there. So, the Chinese who went to work as fishermen in Orange County were most involved in saltwater fishing.
Finally, Truong asked about the Chinese community’s involvement in WWII. “You noted that some Chinese from Orange County served in World War II. Are there any specific stories?”
Jennifer shared, “Certainly. There were Chinese Americans, like George Wah Lee, who served in the U.S. Army during WWII.
In the wake of Jennifer’s presentation, Director Truong was effusive in his praise. He recognized her comprehensive research and personal connection to the subject matter.
Truong commented, ‘Jennifer’s dedication to uncovering the story of Chinese immigrants in Orange County, combined with the depth of her research, was truly impressive. Her proposal has the potential to offer our visitors a new, more nuanced perspective on the history of the Chinese community in this region. It’s incredibly encouraging to see such passion from a young individual.’
Jennifer’s mother added a personal touch to the story, ‘As her mother, it’s inspiring to see Jennifer’s passion for understanding and sharing our family’s history. She has always been curious about our heritage, but seeing her channel that curiosity into something that could potentially educate and inspire others is truly amazing. It’s a testament to her hard work and the guidance she received from her tutor, Mr. Paccone. I couldn’t be more proud of what she has accomplished.’
In closing, Truong assured Jennifer that her proposal would receive the serious consideration it deserved for future exhibits.
Sidenote #1
My name is Peter Paccone, and I am a social studies teacher at San Marino High School with over thirty years of teaching experience.
Additionally, I serve as a Special Projects Tutor and, in that role, was hired by Jennifer’s parents three months before her Chinese American Museum proposed exhibit presentation.
Specifically, I was tasked to teach Jennifer about the history of the Chinese in Orange County from the time of the Gold Rush until the present. I was also tasked with prepping her for her CAM presentation.
Jennifer’s work ethic, curiosity, and dedication to this project have been outstanding. Watching her grow from the beginning stages of research to presenting a thoroughly developed proposal to the museum’s director has been an absolute pleasure. This project wasn’t just about history for Jennifer; it was about exploring her heritage, understanding her community, and sharing that understanding with others. I couldn’t be more proud of her.’
Sidenote #2
It’s important to note that Jennifer did not utilize ChatGPT for any part of this work. All content and ideas are original and independent of any external assistance.
Sidenote #3
Sidenote #4
Since the publication of this post, I’ve been contacted by Jennifer’s mother, expressing a desire for me to assist Jennifer in writing a 400–500 word essay, with this essay to be included in Jennifer’s TCR Middle School History Seminar application. With the permission of Jennifer’s mother, I am sharing Jennifer’s essay below.
Struggle, Survival, and Success: The Story of the Orange County Chinese From the 1870s to the Present
Before 1870, Orange County had no Chinese residents. However, there were about 63,000 Chinese living elsewhere in America, with this number constituting less than 1% of the nation’s total population. Many of these 63,000 had settled in California, arriving from 1848 onwards, attracted by the Gold Rush. During the Gold Rush, they worked tirelessly to search for gold. However, not all were lucky. When the Gold Rush ended in 1855, some returned to China, either with a small fortune or nothing; others remained in America, seeking various employment opportunities. Those who stayed were often hired as “cheap labor,” such as shining shoes, doing laundry, serving in restaurants, or working on farms. These jobs offered little pay yet required enormous amounts of effort. The Chinese had to work brutal hours, often causing injuries and exhaustion.
However, a new and better opportunity emerged with the commencement of America’s First Transcontinental Railroad in 1863. This monumental project presented a different kind of opportunity for the Chinese workers who had remained in the United States. They were primarily hired for tasks like laying tracks, digging tunnels, and constructing bridges. Yet, despite their significant contribution to the construction of the railroad, the Chinese workers’ efforts were often unrecognized. Nevertheless, they labored on, as it provided more stable pay than gold mining. Although they faced unequal treatment compared to other ethnic groups working on the railroad, it played a crucial role in their lives by offering easier access to transportation and new job opportunities.
After the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, these workers sought new employment opportunities, leading some to migrate to Orange County in the mid-1870s.
From the mid-1870s to the present, the lives of the Chinese in Orange County underwent significant changes, particularly in terms of economic status, cultural assimilation, and societal treatment. Initially, the Chinese still worked as low-wage laborers. Some became farmers, cultivating celery and grapes, while others worked in grove digging and cigar making. Life was challenging and demanding, taking up much of their daily time. Over time, however, many evolved into better-paid laborers, with some establishing their own businesses, leading to improved financial stability and a better quality of life. This was because they adapted better to American culture and ways of doing things.
Upon their arrival in Orange County, these immigrants were deeply rooted in Chinese culture and customs, which made adapting to American life difficult. However, as they gradually learned the language and customs, integration became easier, enhancing their ability to trade and interact. This helped them get more customers, which meant more sales.
Language and cultural differences initially led to exclusion and discrimination against the Chinese in Orange County. Incidents like the Los Angeles Chinese Massacre of 1871 and the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which prohibited most Chinese immigration for ten years, highlighted the challenges they faced. Rather than giving up, the Chinese tried their best to merge into the community they were living in. Due to their eagerness to integrate, they learned the language and began to be accepted and treated more as equals, celebrating various American holidays and festivals.
Despite all that, what really helped the Chinese integrate was World War II. As the war rolled around, many Chinese participated in it as soldiers, fighting for America. And, as expected, when they returned home from the winning war, Americans saw them as the citizens who helped them win the war. This caused them to be more accepted, gaining finer social treatment.
I decided to learn about this topic because I am a Chinese person who is currently living in Orange County. When we first came to America in 2017, we settled in a little house in Irvine, which is a city in Orange County. At first, we couldn’t understand much of what other people were saying, which made it hard for us to get an education or for my parents to find a job in unknown territory. I remember getting rejected from the first school we applied to due to my language barriers. The school, seeing how bad my English was, sent me to a school made especially for immigrants. However, it offered less elite education, and my parents and I decided we wanted a better education for me. So, after cultural assimilation into American culture by learning how to speak English and celebrating things like Christmas and Thanksgiving (and also becoming a Swiftie), we tried for the same school we got rejected by again, and this time, due to my immense language improvement, they accepted me. My parents then found better jobs and upgraded their economic status while I made friends at my new school. A few years later, we tried again to elevate my education and applied for a private school named “The Pegasus School” in Huntington Beach. And to our surprise, I got in! In the end, cultural assimilation and improved economic statuses changed my life, along with many others as well!
In conclusion, the history of the Chinese community in Orange County is a powerful story of struggle, survival, and success. This story, spanning from the 1870s to the present, resonates deeply with my own family’s journey. Like the early Chinese immigrants, we faced challenges when we first arrived in Orange County. But, inspired by their perseverance, we too found our footing. Our experiences of adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and finding our place in the community mirror the journey of those who came before us. This historical journey of the Chinese in Orange County isn’t just a chapter from the past; it’s a continuing story that shapes and inspires our present. It teaches us that with determination and hard work, significant obstacles can be overcome, leading to a brighter and more inclusive future. As I reflect on this, I am filled with gratitude and a sense of connection to those early pioneers whose struggles have paved the way for new generations to thrive.
Resources:
“Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) | National Archives.” National Archives |, 17 January 2023, https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/chinese-exclusion-act. Accessed 18 November 2023.
Jepsen, Chris. “The Chinese in early Orange County.” O.C. History Roundup, 18 June 2019, https://ochistorical.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-chinese-in-early-orange-county.html. Accessed 18 November 2023.
“Orange’s Chinatown — OC Historyland.” OC Historyland, https://www.ochistoryland.com/orangechinatown. Accessed 18 November 2023.
Tsang, Daniel C. “Immigrant Lives in the OC and Beyond: History.” UCI Libraries, https://www.lib.uci.edu/sites/all/exhibits/immigrant/index.php?page=section_1. Accessed 18 November 2023.
Wen, Edith, et al. “Oct. 24, 1871: Los Angeles Chinatown Massacre.” Zinn Education Project, https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/la-chinatown-massacre/. Accessed 18 November 2023.
