I’ve never liked history because it’s old and boring. And I could never relate to a far-off land like America, even though they colonized the Philippines for 50 years.
I love indexes, so I quickly scanned for Filipinos and Philippines. I was surprised to find several mentions in a dozen pages. Usually I only find up to three pages in most American history books.
Filipino American pop star Olivia Rodrigo is even mentioned on page 135 but is not in the index. That’s okay because Filipinos have a whole chapter and are also mentioned throughout the book.
I never learned that Asians had a history in America. I only knew about the personal stories of my grandparents, relatives, and friends who emigrated to the States. All along, I thought the Asians in America all came willingly and chose to live here.
But that’s not the case. Made in Asian America begins with Columbus. Next came colonization, slavery, genocide, and human atrocities. You know, the things that Columbus was cancelled for.
Made in Asian America is an engaging eye-opener. I learned that many people from various parts of Asia were integral to the formation of America. I have not read the original book for adults but this youth version captivated me and made me want to know more.
Filled with pictures and various personal narratives, this concise history book fills the glaring void in American history. The integral interconnection of various Asians with Americans and the world.
“Asian American history is not made up of one single story. It’s many. And it’s a story that you have to know if you want to understand the history of America.”
The book presents heavy issues like racism, slavery, xenophobia, and violence with a gentle honesty. Still, the darkness of human nature cannot be concealed. So the impact is just as powerful.
So many things surprised me about America’s past: An Asian woman was on exhibit as an Oriental curiosity. Over 80% of California farm workers were Korean. Some wealthy South Asians were stripped of their US citizenship.
Many present-day issues echo history. To build railroads, many Asian workers were lured to the US on false promises of a better life. Then later, these same Asians were accused of stealing Americans jobs. Also, thousands of immigrant families were separated and confined.
But not everything is bad. In WWII, the first Asian American woman in the Navy was an outstanding gunnery officer, though the guns were taller than her.
I was also left with many unanswered questions: The US and the Soviet Union divided Korea? Thailand was left untouched from colonial rule after WWII? The Japanese incarceration is not taught in schools? Hitler praised America’s racist immigration laws?!
If a history book whets a reader’s curiosity, that’s a feat. Beyond that, this book did the extraordinary, it also made me care. And that’s what the authors wanted for its young readers.
“We wanted light bulbs to go off. We wanted you to know the truth about our nation’s history, and we knew that it would probably make you feel angry, frustrated, and sad at times because we have felt that same way, too.”
Made in Asian America features inspiring stories of families who overcame unbelievable oppression and lived on to gift their descendants with the American dream of freedom and financial stability.
We need to remember our successes and failures so we can repeat what we did right and avoid what we did wrong. History is a reminder of what has become and what we can become.
Made in Asian America is an important book for all Americans, to erase the wrong notion that this nation is only for one kind of race. History proves that Asians have been a part of America from its birth. In that regard, we are the same family.
And like every family, we may all be different and look different, but we all want the same thing. I hope every American reads this book to understand that Asians are just like any typical American who just wants to live their lives in peace.
—By Ivy Lopez
Ivy is a Jesuit-educated lawyer who is now a columnist and book reviewer. She posts new books on her YouTube channel @IvyDigest.
Made in Asian America: A History for Young People
By Erika Lee & Christina Soontonvat
Hardcover, 303 pages, 2024.
Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins)
GET THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/3USDlb7
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