Exclusion and the Chinese American Story is a collection of many stories, which Blackburn weaves together to form a view of the Chinese American experience as a whole. Each individual story is interesting and thought-provoking, and each contributes to an overall sense of the feelings and reality of Chinese Americans. Students interested in history can find stories about individuals that are important for their place in the narrative of our country and culture, but which are rarely mentioned in textbooks and, if they are, they are often little more than a footnote, bereft of the life and vitality that learning about the person as an individual can provide. Each short biography in the book talks about more than simply the one important contribution that might land a person’s name in a history book and instead explores their personal life. By discovering who the person behind the historic event actually was, the reader can form and emotional connection with them to provide context to the history.

This book goes beyond a dry recitation of facts or even a telling of interesting stories. It discusses the political, social, and psychological forces that drive discrimination based on race and that influence an individual’s experience, particularly if that individual is one who is subject to such discrimination. The book calls readers to think about how they treat others and what they can do to treat others fairly in their personal life and also to advocate for justice for people who are different from them and who perhaps they do not even know personally.

Blackburn presents a well-researched historical narrative that keeps the reader interested, while at the same time challenging the reader to think and to consider their beliefs and actions. The author’s heart for justice and love for both history and people is clear on every page of this book, and that makes it engaging for the reader, as if a friend is revealing something of deep personal importance to them.

Review of an Advanced Reading Copy from the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: A slur for Chinese peasants (coolie) is discussed (not tallied); a character calls others “m-fs” in a quote. The word is not spelled out, but the context makes it clear what it stands for.

Violence/Gore: Workers are beaten by their employer; mass casualties in a natural disaster are described in a non-graphic way; report of a character losing a limb; report of mass killings and abuse by governments; report of destruction of books and artwork; report of a child spanked; many deaths due to poor working or living conditions; report of many people murdered, some by hanging; report of people killed by shooting; a few reports of accidental deaths ; characters are threatened with violence and death; report of a death in battle; a riot with death, injury, and arson; a mass shooting is reported; a brutal murder without graphic description.

Sex/Nudity: Mention of kissing in movies; mention of men going to a strip club; a few references to women being sexually tempting; mention of prostitution.

Mature Subject Matter:

Racism and discrimination based on race is a major theme throughout this book; discrimination based on gender; racial segregation; slavery is a prominent theme; historical account of a deal a person allegedly made with the devil in exchange for their soul; gambling (mentioned); Japanese internment camps of WWII (mention); pandemics and COVID-19; bullying; corporal punishment (specifically spanking); blackface and yellowface are discussed; murder; war; theft; extortion; government corruption; riots; kidnapping; mass shooting; forgery; lynching (mentioned). Some illustrations in the book show offensive racial stereotypes, but they are included as historical examples of discrimination/objectionable depictions.

Alcohol/Drug Use:

Opium is discussed; champagne and cigars are served at a dinner; wine is used in a burial tradition.