Had you ever heard of either massacre featured in the story? What was your impression of the outcomes? Do you believe the results would differ if the incidents occurred today?
I was not familiar with either story. Today the outcomes might be less blatantly violent, but in view of current immigration policies – flying immigrants out of the country and installing them in horrible prison situations – I’m not sure the affected immigrants are much better off. We seem to have moved backwards on this issue in recent years.
No, I had not heard of these particular massacre, but I have read of the treatment many other groups have been forced to endure. I wasn’t surprised with the outcome of the trials, but I do have hope that things would be better today. I am aware of illegals and criminals being transported out of the country. If you have broken the law, there are consequences.
I live in Portland, and when my husband and I first moved to the state we did a lot of exploring. I remember learning about the massacre along the Snake River when we visited the area.
I hadn’t heard about the tunnels, though - but I know exactly where Old Town Pizza is, so I may need to stop by. They have a beer tasting/tour the tunnels package that I’m tempted to ask for for my next birthday.
I don’t recall learning about the massacres, but I do remember the Chinese Exclusion Act from history books. It was passed by Congress quite a few years before the massacres, so anti Chinese sentiment was potent in America.
I had not heard of the massacres, but it does not surprise me based on the little I know about that timeframe. I’m even surprised that there was a trial. I wouldn’t expect that white men would be held accountable back in the late 1800s.
I had not been aware of either massacre featured within this book. I would suspect it would have been included in Oregon’s state studies in their schools just as California provides its fourth graders in their schools. Unfortunately, with the current feeling circulating through our country on the subject of immigration, I personally feel the incident could occur today. I can’t believe the thought process currently in vogue with many of our citizens. Wake up each of us began as immigrants in our family’s history. Each of them coming for the very same reasons our current ones are coming to the states
I was naively unaware of this part of US history and am always thankful to learn more.
As I was reading I also wondered how things would have played out in current times. Certainly social media and the spread of I formation online would have meant more awareness. Sadly, I’m not sure the outcomes of trials would have been different, as we’ve repeatedly seen with cases of police brutality against Black men in particular.
Having spent most of my life on the east coast, I hadn’t heard of those two particular massacres, but I have read about the widespread violence against early Chinese immigrants and their poor treatment. I also was surprised that there was a trial at all given that this was in the 19th century, but certainly not surprised at the result. I doubt the result would be different today–it seems even if events are filmed, there is a lot of room for “spin” and people see what they want to see.
I live in the PNW and have spent a lot of time in the Oregon Historical Society’s library doing research. I had never heard of these specific massacres but was well aware of the mistreatment and violence against the Chinese after their work on the railroad was no longer as necessary as when they first arrived. Unfortunately, even today the outcome of court trials for civil rights violations has mixed results so the outcome in this case and this time was entirely expected. What was most surprising is that it went to trial at all.
I was not familiar with either of the events. Today’s media would be very “up close and personal,” graphic coverage, and POV’s.
My thoughts, too. I knew Chinese were mistreated but had no knowledge of mass murders.
I read a book but can’t remember the title. In that book, Chinese people were put on a boat to be drowned instead of being carried to a new port. Today, we have people who have no recourse and are being deported with no real problems in their history in the U.S.. They are not given any chance to get their citizenship. The problem is very much like what this historical narrative is still happening.
I was not familiar with the massacre or the underground tunnels in Portland. I grew up on the west coast, so you’d think these events might have been included in a history class lesson.
Yes, I do believe that today, thankfully, these killers would be hunted down and prosecuted and sent to prison.
I was unaware of the massacres. Today it would be covered 24 hours a day on streaming venues.
The underground tunnels I was aware of in some port cities, especially those during proabition.
I am aware of the efforts to sharply curtail immigration from China with the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Acts beginning in 1882 as well as pogrom style riots in Chinatowns in several west coast cities. I was unaware of the massacre that killed Celia’s father and a definitely not shocked at the outcome of the trial. I am probably most surprised it ever was brought to trial.
Who knows what the outcome would be today, though I hope prosecutors would more diligently act on behalf of the victims.
I didn’t know about these massacres, but I had heard about other aspects of anti-Chinese and anti-Asian prejudice and discrimination. Today we might hear more about these incidents when they happened, but we are often quick to forget them and sometimes to let perpetrators go unpunished or be reprimanded surprisingly lightly.
I had not heard of either massacre, and I’m appalled at the outcomes. The Chinese were not allowed to address the court at that time, if I remember that correctly. I hate to think of what a trial might be like today, especially with the way our government is denying due process.