Friends Since the Crossing of the Pacific

(I wrote this post from the perspective of Joseph as a young husband and family man. He sends a letter to a childhood friend he met on his trek to America. In addition, Joseph revisits some of his past memories after seeing a young boy that looks just like he did when he came to San Francisco.)

Dear Tim,

How are things? Are you wife and kids happy and healthy? I would hope so with your fruitful job at the fish market! Things are going well over on this side of town as well. Mamie just turned eight last month. I cannot believe that she is getting so old! It seems like yesterday that I even met Mary.

The other day I saw a young, newly-immigrated Chinese boy who looked just like me when I was twelve years old! I was taken aback for a while. My thoughts and emotions from my own trek to America slowly came back to me. I remember the first time that we met on the vessel across the Pacific. You were friendly enough to share some of your snacks with me. This reminded that I have not spoken with you in quite some, so I decided to write you this letter.

Many emotions came back to me when I saw this young boy. Remember how hard it was to even find a vessel to take us across the Pacific? I remember waiting around and picking up odd jobs for cash in Guangzhou before the ship was ready to sail (5). Boy, we definitely are a part of the lucky people who were able to immigrate to America, find work, and also have wonderful families. Compared to our poor relatives back home, I think that we definitely made the right decision to come to San Francisco and try out our luck.

Seeing this young boy wander by also unfortunately reminded me of the hard times that he is likely to face these days. After those politicians passed the Chinese Exclusion Act this past year, I can only imagine the mental costs this boy will succumb to. He will be treated with so much disrespect here, and I do not want him to think he is a lesser human being than any other boy his age. If I see him walking around this week, I think I will stop him and talk to him. Maybe he needs a place to stay? We will see. I will try not to worry about him too much.

Speaking of the Exclusion Act, have you heard some of the terrible rumors that have gone around? I heard that some Chinese teenagers over by Jay’s market were beaten the other night just because they were Chinese! I know that both you and I have encountered stark racial tension here in the city, but this may be a new low. It terrifies me to here that I will be raising my children in this sort of environment. I am simply trying to be like everyone else and live the American Dream!

I apologize for my little rant. I just know that you will completely understand my position. How about we schedule a lunch meeting in a few days? I would love to see you and we can talk about our families in person!

Hope to see you soon,

Joseph

(A boat carrying immigrants docked at Angel Island.)