Reading Responce

During the late 19th and early 20th century Chinese immigrants suffered at the hands of

the American government much like the African Americans did. They were not given the same
rights that white citizens were getting, they were threatened out of their homes, and yet they still
fought back. What surprised me though was the statements that were made by papers that the
Chinese were a dirty people even though it was the states fault for not installing proper health
facilities. “Chinatown my not have been the only area of Los Angeles afflicted by ‘filth and stench’
but it was the only section whose inhabitants had almost no political recourse and even less
social leverage with which to effect change” (pg 28.)Though the U.S. government integrated laws
that were to be followed by all, state officials seemed to only be cracking down on Chinese
citizens. Take the case of Quong Long for example. According to the state Quong’s laundry mat
was in violation of zoning regulations, as was his white counterpart. Both of them tried to appeal
to the court to get an extension Quong asked for a two year extension while his white counterpart
asked for three. Both had petitions written up and handed them into the court to show how many
people wanted them to stay. Though Quong had a large group of white neighbors that appealed
on his behalf, the court ruled in favor of the white citizen.
We could also relate this situation back to the ugly trailer park article. If the city put a little
effort in helping the area look appealing, making it a tourist sight or a nice place to look at, that
area could be used not only as a segregated residential area but a place where people could
come together as well.