This graphic novel is dedicated to those early Chinese men and women who came across the Pacific and helped build our nations —America and Canada.
Initially, this book was going to explore the history of the Chinese in Canada, but it soon became apparent that sharing only part of the story gave an incomplete picture of the Chinese experience in Gam Saan (Gold Mountain).
And racism knows no boundaries.
The early Chinese did not differentiate between Canada and the United States. They traveled to where they believed there were opportunities and had kin, and to where they were allowed in. The new continent was one; it was Gam Saan, the strange new land.
Our pioneering ancestors were subjected to incredibly harsh discrimination and unspeakable atrocities from ordinary folks and from legislated racism. Institutional racism included the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 (US), the Head Tax (Canada, 1885 –1923), and the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 (Canada). These laws effectively shut the Chinese out of Gam Saan for decades.
The result of this institutionalized racism on generations of separated families was great hardship and a Chinese community of predominantly aging men in North America.
Written words are important. I wish to add to the written word using my drawings. I hope this presentation of knowledge in a cartoon format will add to our learning experience.
This is the story of one Chinese family, the Wongs, in Gam Saan. It depicts the world our early forebears experienced. I hope this story will help spark an interest in learning about the struggles of one group of people who helped build our new world.
Although a fictional story, Escape to Gold Mountain is based on facts, on my own family’s experiences, and was inspired by the many elders and friends I’ve been fortunate to meet along my journey of discovery.
I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed creating it.