San Francisco apologizes for history of racism, discrimination against Chinese Americans

Many have forgotten that the West Coast was a hotbed of anti-Chinese sentiment in the 1800s.   The Hill reports that. in recognition ofits place in that sordid history, 

“[t]he city of San Francisco on Tuesday announced a unanimous resolution formally apologizing for its past atrocities against the Chinese community, coinciding the decision with the Lunar New Year.

The decision by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors acknowledges the city’s discriminatory policies had a significant impact on the Chinese community, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

The resolution apologized on behalf of the board and the city for the `systemic and structural discrimination’ against the community as well as the targeted acts of violence. It also admitted that the board of supervisors had passed numerous laws that persecuted the Chinese immigrants.

. . .

The move by San Francisco followed similar ones made by Antioch, San Jose and Los Angeles. Antioch was the first to offer a formal apology in May last year, followed by the city of San Jose in September and Los Angeles in October.”

The item on the February 1 San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting reads as follows;

“[Apologizing to Chinese Immigrants and Their Descendants]

Sponsors: Haney; Walton and Safai

Resolution apologizing on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco to Chinese immigrants and their descendants for systemic and structural discrimination, targeted acts of violence, and atrocities; and committing to the rectification and redress of past policies and misdeeds.“

KJ