Our exhibit examines the development of Chinatown in Manhattan. We were inspired by the Hidden Voice our class researched, Wong Chin Foo. We were also inspired by our virtual field trip with the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), where we learned all about Wong Chin Foo’s life and the impact his work had on the creation of Chinatown. New York City is a diverse place and this is just one of the stories that shows how it became the city we know today.

Our exhibit displays what life was like for the Chinese in America before, during, and after the Chinese Exclusion Act. The Chinese Exclusion Act is important because for the first time in American history the US congress created an act that excluded one culture from coming to America and denied their right to gain citizenship. Wong Chin Foo, our hidden voice individual, was an activist for Chinese American rights through his newspaper the “Chinese American” and other publications. He was our inspiration for this exhibit because he spoke up for his people. The Chinese contributed so much to the transcontinental railroad and they were such a help to the American economy. It's important we know how to speak up against discrimination and how to fight for people who are being treated unfairly.

Inspired by the work of Wong Chin Foo, our exhibit is meant to give our viewers an overview of the many obstacles faced by the Chinese community both in the past and present day, in pursuit of the American Dream.

Our project talks about the discrimination minority groups face. Wong Chin Foo was one of the first Chinese American citizen, he wanted to make the United States safe for Chinese immigrants so they could stay in United States. We want people to realize the problems that Asian Americans face in the 1800s and modern times. Just like Wong, we want fair treatment of Asian Americans because of historically they have been discriminated. They should have the same rights as other groups and have the right to feel safe.

Our exhibit shows how life was for Chinese Americans during the transcontinental railroad and in NYC And all the obstacles they went through. The discrimination towards Chinese Americans started during the transcontinental railroad and followed them to NYC. We were inspired by a Hidden Voices character, Wong Chin Foo. We wanted to research this topic after we learned the conditions that Chinese Americans faced in New York City. The Chinese people were discriminated against because they were of a different race.

Chinatown Then and Now is an exhibit that demonstrates the cultural changes Chinese immigrants have had on New York City’s Chinatown. You will learn the impact Wong Chin Foo had in accepting Chinese culture during a time where Chinese immigrants faced discrimination and inequalities in their every day lives. You will see the transformation of New York City and how Wong Chin Foo would have liked “his Chinatown” to be like.