Ep 1. Breaking Ground

Asian Americans is a five-part documentary series that chronicles the Asian American experience in the United States. Through personal stories and historical context, the series explores the complex history of Asian Americans and their contributions to the country.

Episode 1, titled Breaking Ground, delves into the early years of Asian immigration to the United States, focusing on the experiences of Chinese immigrants in the mid-to-late 19th century. The episode opens with the story of Yung Wing, the first Chinese student to graduate from an American university, who then went on to play a key role in helping to establish the Chinese Educational Mission – a program that sent dozens of Chinese students to study in the United States.

The episode then shifts to focus on the experiences of laborers who came to the United States in search of work. Many of these early immigrants worked on the transcontinental railroad, and played a crucial role in building the infrastructure of the country. Despite their contributions, these workers faced intense discrimination and racism, both in the workplace and in their daily lives. The episode explores the brutal violence and harassment that many Chinese workers faced, and the ways that they fought back against injustice.

The focus then shifts to the Exclusion Act of 1882, which was the first major piece of legislation in the United States to restrict immigration based on race. The episode explores the ways that this law impacted Chinese immigrants, and the larger implications of the law for the Asian American community as a whole.

Throughout the episode, interviews with scholars and historians help to contextualize the experiences of Asian Americans during this time period. These experts provide insights into the political and social climate of the late 19th century, and help viewers to understand the complex web of factors that contributed to the discrimination and racism faced by Asian Americans.

The episode closes with the story of Takao Ozawa, the first Japanese man to sue for citizenship in the United States. Although he was born in Japan, Ozawa had lived in the United States for many years, and argued that he should be considered an American. However, his case was ultimately unsuccessful. This story serves as a poignant reminder of the ways that Asian Americans have struggled for recognition and equality throughout their history in the United States.

Overall, Breaking Ground serves as a powerful introduction to the series, setting the stage for the stories of struggle and triumph that are explored in subsequent episodes. Through the lens of the early Chinese immigrant experience, the episode offers a complex and nuanced look at the history of Asian Americans in the United States, and provides a powerful reminder of the vital role that these immigrants have played in shaping the fabric of American society.