W7 Part A Reading Notes: Sui Sin Far

Reading notes are from “In the Land of the Free” by Sui Sin Far 321-329

• Her heritage background is very interesting, especially since there was a lot of Chinese ostracism in San Francisco especially during the Exclusion acts, I wonder how being of half decent affected her life. 
• It appears the father is a coastal worker 
• Dad awaiting his family at the docks, he started up his life for them to come with him later
• The child probably would have not been allowed regardless of circumstances, especially with the exclusion act, unless they were wealthy
• The officers seem to be playing nice in the story, I suppose part of the authors descision not to make them the bad guys?
• Handing over the child, almost seems like the reverse happens now with Mexican immigrants, they have to leave the child here since it is a citizen and they are not
• I wonder what will happen to the boy in the governments care...
• It’s hard to part with a child for a long time especially in these circumstances. 
• Quite a bit of time has passed since now it’s the dry spring season rather than wet, probably May Now. 
• The letters are so vague, I’m not sure of what it is telling the family, “we don’t have an update?”
• The separation has caused depression in the mother, very difficult for her
• “Can’t get fellows to hurry the government for you without gold in your pocket” (327) This is extremely true during the exclusion act and in general. In the exclusion act the only exemptions were extremely wealthy who could essentially buy their way past the laws...
• 500$ is a lot of money for this time, let alone an immigrant, and it’s probably a scam too...
• The man seemed like he was very manipulative of a desperate couple
• I’m surprised they actually got to go see their son. 
• It’s sad the child told his mom to go away, but after so much time and separation, it’s probably indoctrinated in him, and probably racism was too.