Piedmont Diversity Film 'The Chinese Exclusion Act'

Oct 17, 7-8 pm in Piedmont and Oct 20, 3pm in Oakland at The New Parkway, 747 24th Street

Hard Hitting, Important Documentary on Immigration:
The Chinese Exclusion Act
Free Screenings Set for Piedmont and Oakland

"It is not a melodramatic or breathlessly hyperbolic thing to say that if you want to know about immigration in America and you don't know the story of Chinese exclusion, it would be like saying you want to know about race relations in America but you've never heard of slavery." - Filmmaker Ric Burns.

The Appreciating Diversity Film Series (ADFS) presents free screenings of THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT on Wednesday, October 17, and Saturday, October 20, 2018. The Chinese Exclusion Act explains the causes, consequences, and continuing impact of the only federal legislation in United States history to single out and name a specific race and nationality for exclusion from immigration and citizenship - a timely look at an episode in American history that resonates today. Award-winning documentary filmmakers Ric Burns and Li-Shin Yu shed light on the origin, history, and impact of the 1882 law that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here ever to become U.S. citizens. The first in a long line of laws targeting the Chinese for exclusion, it remained in force for more than 60 years.

Indiewire calls the film "a sobering and eye-opening look at a chapter in American history that not only reveals the way our nation did wrong by people who helped build it but also has clear parallels to today's issues with immigration."

Following the screening, well-known community advocate David Lei, who is featured in the film, will lead a discussion on this little-known part of American history and its relevance for 2018 and beyond. His passion for building communities, social changes/improvements, youth education and the arts has led to his becoming a tireless Bay Area volunteer with many organizations, such as the Center for Asian American Media.

Piedmont: 5:30-7 Chinese food truck; Oakland: food available.

Free; no need to RSVP.