Keep on, Keeping on

It all felt like a blur. As if, maybe it never happened, or maybe it did, and I just could not bear to face
the truth? My father, Al Dongwa, tells me every day that I am a spitting image of her. I know its not easy for
him and he has dreams of her every night. I try to convince him that eleven years have passed and its time
for him to move on as well, but she is the love of his life. My mother, Daisy Dongwa.
My brother Chang has moved out because of how overwhelming my fathers obsessive condition has
become. He visits on holidays and when he gives us some extra money, but that is not often.
My father is laid off work because China is facing years worth of economical and political troubles. 1
People have been flocking to America for the past two decades, they decided to work hard, in order to make
money and return to their families. Many Chinese men were afraid to take their wives and raise families in
America because of the racial violence they found themselves subject to. 2 If only my father had known this
for my mother's sake in 1870.
Daisy!! I WON, I WON THE TICKETS, Don shouted as he entered our home and pulled out two
plastered tickets to America.
It was the miracle my family had needed. America had been flourishing, and Don, my mother's
brother, had promised to take her to visit. They headed to California on May 16, 1870, and that was the last
time I had hugged her goodbye. She had been kidnapped and sold to a high-class brothel. By the time Don
had found her, she had died from overdosing on illicit drugs. If my father were aware of the racial violence
and the fact that 61 percent of the 3,536 Chinese women in California were forced into prostitution, he would
have never allowed her to leave.3 This has left my father to despise the so-called Americans.

1 The Chinese Experience in 19th Century America (The Chinese Experience in 19th Century
America)http://teachingresources.atlas.illinois.edu/chinese_exp/introduction04.html

2 Prostitiution in the Early Chinese Community, 18501900http://www.dartmouth.edu/~hist32/History/S02%20-%20Early%20Chinese%20Prostitution.htm

3 Prostitiution in the Early Chinese Community, 18501900http://www.dartmouth.edu/~hist32/History/S02%20-%20Early%20Chinese%20Prostitution.htm

One morning in early July 1881, as I entered my high school, which I attended when papa did not
need me around the house, I was surprised to a new face next to Mrs. Vang. Her name was Mrs. Johnson and
she came from America to speak about the Yung Wing Mission. 4 She explained it as an active project of the
Chinese self-strengthening movement, which gives Chinese students the opportunity of studying abroad, in
America.
As everyone is anxious to get the application, I sit and ponder on what my father would think. What
would he say? Would he ever speak to me again? Regardless, the thoughts did not stop me. When I hand my
application to Mrs. Johnson, her smile seemed scripted, as if she had predicted the future. I could not
understand it, but I appreciated the sense of comfort it gave me at that exact moment. Shortly after, she called
to the class and told us we would get a call home if nominated.
Within a month, I was informed that I am chosen to study abroad in Detroit, Michigan. The thought
of traveling to America had never previously crossed my mind. My father spoke so negatively of it everyday
for eleven straight years. What in my right mind made me crave so badly to leave? A place, which was so
negative, felt so good. I was given three weeks to make my decision, but my heart had already been set.
I called Chang the next day and explained to him of my opportunity to study abroad in Detroit.
Bai , I will be there with dad. You dont worry. I will take care of him for the time being. This is
your chance and I will not let you miss it for the world. Chang demanded.
He could not have been anymore supportive. I know it will devastate my father, but whats a tear to a
shattered heart? I must make my own. Create a life for myself and forget the past. This is my pass to explore
both the world and myself. Though my mother had been kidnapped and the odds were not in her favor, I
mustn't subject myself to a destiny, which does not exist.
July 20, 1881, I am packed, ready, and all done while my father is out looking for work. Chang is
waiting to take me to the steamship, where I will meet with the five other students. We will arrive in New
York, then rail travel to Detroit.5

4 Ye, Weili. ""Nu Liuxuesheng:" the Story of American-Educated Chinese

5 Roger Daniels OAH Magazine of History Vol. 13, No. 4, The Gilded Age (Summer, 1999), pp. 21-25

September 1, 1881, we have officially arrived in Detroit Michigan after a long month of travel. Mrs.
Johnson had been waiting for us at the train station.
Hi guys, how was the journey?
Miserable. replied Yong, one of the students, who was seasick.
Im sorry to hear that Yong, are you guys hungry?
We all decided that food would be a good idea. As we walked around Detroit, I was amazed by the
growing sophistication of the three-story Victorian, Italianate, and other period design, homes and buildings. 6
The more we walk, the more evident differences among individuals become. The city is filled with wealthy,
educated Americans, who are just one group, which coexist, in the so-called Melting Pot. Detroit is infused
with people from all around the world. Though it may be considered a melting pot, the differences are
undeniable. Germans, Russians, Italians, British, Irish, and many more
As we walk, we find a small, cozy diner. Behind the counter stood a Chinese worker. He is wearing a
previously white apron, which has been covered with what looked like years worth of stains. His hands are
covered with dirt, but his face was reassuring. Despite his condition, he welcomed us with an overflow of
warmth. Next to him stood a tall prestige white male.
Hurry up Fu, the customers are waiting! demanded the white male.
Fu quickly seats us and serves us the most refreshing cup of water. As Mr. Johnson begins speaking
about our goals abroad, I reach over to the newspaper that lies on the table and laid it on my lap. The Detroit
Free Press read the top. As I turn the newspaper around, I am struck by an overwhelming amount of
confusion. Me? What have I done? But I have just arrived? I look at it again for reassurance, but still no
changes, The cry the Chinese must go has resulted in their going, or, rather, in their coming this way.

My body is sore. My hands begin to tighten and my feet cannot resist the shakings, I had never felt so
scammed. My eyes screamed fear while my mouth still shut closed. I am trapped. Should I leave? Should I
even be questioning this? Should I cry for the agony that I have now have caused my father and myself?
Bai honey, are you okay? Asked Mrs. Johnson.

6 Roger Daniels OAH Magazine of History Vol. 13, No. 4, The Gilded Age (Summer, 1999), pp. 21-25
7 "CHINESE SERVANTS." Detroit Free Press (1858-1922): 4. May 04 1880. ProQuest. Web. 19 Oct. 2015

I froze.
My brain began to swirl with conclusions. Was I to confront everyone with the truth of being
unwanted and cause worry among my peers, or just sit still and disregard the entire dilemma? I slowly raised
the newspaper and handed it to Mrs. Johnson. She began to read and immediately gasped.
No Bai. This has nothing to do with you all. she sympathized in a low sorrowful tone.
It was as if she could relate to emotions and had once felt my pain She explained that in May 1881,
the U.S. Senate approved the Angell Treaty.8 The treaty was an agreement with the Chinese government to
allow the U.S. government the power to regulate, limit, or suspend the immigration of Chinese laborers.9
However, the treaty did approve teachers, students, and merchants to come and go as they please. Mrs.
Johnson informs us that in 1870, the United State went through an economic recession and it led Americans
to blame the Chinese for taking their jobs or working for low wages. 10
Though I am relieved, my thoughts will not stop revolving I begin to wonder what gives Italians or Germans
the privilege to immigrate to America and not my people? I fill with disappointment and sympathy for my
nation because they simply ask for an equal chance at freedom and are denied any or all hope.
As we leave the diner, Mr. Johnson leads us to our home, where we will live for the time being. We
all appreciate her company, but sleep is the only thing on our minds as of now. The next few weeks had a lot
of surprises in store, but I am most excited about going to my first ever baseball game.
October 1, 1881, The Wolverines play at the Recreation Park in Detroit. The park has a beautiful
wooden grandstand, and is located between Brandy Street and Willis Avenue. I hand my ticket to the old
African man, wait for everyone else, and then enter the park. The music is roaring and the smell of food
lingers throughout the stadium, I scream of joy as I find a seat. I sit next to what looks like an Italian man
and greet him with a smile. He looks at me with a face of disgust and turns around. It is as if he did not want

8 Bodenner, Chris. Chinese Exclusion Act. Issues & Controversies in American History. Infobase
Publishing, 20 Oct. 2006. Web. 6 Feb. 2013.
9 "THE CHINESE TREATY." Detroit Free Press (1858-1922): 4. Jan 22 1881. ProQuest. Web. 19 Oct.
2015

10 Dufour, Joanne. "Case Study of Chinese Exclusion Act Enforcement." Social Education 76.6 (2012):
306. ProQuest. Web. 19 Oct. 2015.

me to sit next to him. I thought about what I should reply to him, but decided that if I did, he may begin to
argue with me and people would stare, so I just sat down. The players came out soon after. The Wolverines
wore a white colored uniform which wrote Detroit across it, wool caps, black joggers, and white knee high
socks. In America, people say that baseball is a gentleman's sport. 11
During the game, I ponder on what makes baseball a gentlemans sport? Maybe because women could get
hurt, but so could men. Is it because women could get tired, but so could men. Or maybe because
Mrs. Johnson, what makes baseball a gentlemans sport?
She looks at me amused, waits a few seconds, and does not reply.
At that exact moment I understood. It is not whether baseball is literally a gentlemens sport or not,
it is the society which makes it this way. This is the way of seeing as an American, and this is what I must
follow. Mrs. Johnson did not ignore me because she is rude, but simply because she had never taken the time
to ask herself why. Detroit is a city of exponential growth because the people believe so, as do I. Detroit is
has an underlying politics, and if one aspect of it does not support it, then say goodbye.
Though Chinese laborers and women are targeted in the American culture, we are not alone. See
neither the Italians, nor the Germans, nor the Asians, nor any one group of people have a complete sense of
unity. The only aspect that unifies all is the desire of becoming an American. When I walk the streets of
Detroit I witness a variety of people, whether it maybe socially, economically, or culturally. See, there is
opportunity in Detroit, and where there is opportunity, there are people trying to claim all the success. This
naturally makes people target any differences as negative. It is not about the exact problems one may be
facing, but how well he or she can assimilate in order to ignore those issues. I have learned cover up these
issues by the clothing I wear and food I eat in order to give me a sense of uniformity. Detroit may not be
perfect, but there is a way to succeed and that is too let go of what used to be and just keep on, keeping on.

11 Douglas Ilka / The , Detroit News. "Baseball a Gentleman's Sport in 1880s Fashion." Detroit News: C,
5:2. May 14 1997. ProQuest. Web. 19 Oct. 2015 . Simply no women played.