Holehole bushi
Holehole bushi are folk songs composed by Japanese immigrant workers on the sugar plantations in Hawaii during the late 19th centuries. These songs reflect their daily lives, back-breaking work, and new obstacles for being away from home. These immigrants faced many discriminations. Different ethnicity were being put in separate camps and hierarchy (Takaki, 133-135). Holehole bushi are important to Asian American history, because it represent the struggles they have been through. Many have experienced depression of years being away from family, the strict rules and poor conditions on the field, and discriminations.
Gentleman’s Agreement
In 1907, the Gentlemen’s Agreement was established between the United States and Japan. In this act, the Japanese promised that they wouldn’t issue any more passports to emigrate to the US. But immigration for the wives, children, and parents of current Japanese resident in the US are allow.
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Japanese immigrants men in the US select brides from their native country through pictures. Women in Japan were paired up with men in the U.S. by a matchmaker and/or family’s decision. Many men did not make enough money to go home, so they start a new family in America. Most women became picture brides due to financial problem at home, so they were hoping to come to the U.S. and send money back. Many picture brides regret their decisions, because they are often surprised to see the men when they arrived. Some men edited the picture they sent back, and some pretend to be wealthy.
Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934)
Also known as the Philippine Independence Act. It was a federal law to make the Philippines become an independent nation after a 10 year period. This act became effective on May 1, 1934. And the Filipinos were classified as aliens because they are not white. Only 50 Filipinos were allowed to immigrate to the US every year (Lee & Sasaki, 121).
1924 Immigration