Chinese immigrants were drawn to the U.S. because of the Gold Rush and ended up taking jobs on the transcontinental railroad. The demeaning stereotypes and bitterness toward the Chinese workers led to attacks and even murders. What’s more, the name became attached to a racist caricature often used to depict Chinese immigrants of the time. They even accompanied newspaper accounts of tragic events, like the Massacre of 1871, during which a mob of 500 hanged several Chinese men and boys. The event resulted in the deaths of an estimated 17 Chinese immigrants, Yuen explained.

Source: Huffington Post May 03, 2018 22:52 UTC