Summary of The First Asians in America with Dr. Diego Javier Luis I 2 Complicated 4 History I Podcast
The video features Dr. Diego Javier Luis discussing his book, "The First Asians in the Americas: A Transpacific History," which explores the early movement of Asian peoples, particularly from the Philippines, to North America from 1565 to 1815. The conversation begins with the story of Katarina de San Juan, a woman from India who became a venerated saint in Mexico, highlighting the complex journeys of individuals from Asia to the Americas.
Dr. Luis explains that his book focuses on the lived experiences of both free and enslaved Asians who crossed the Pacific on Spanish ships, primarily arriving at Acapulco. He emphasizes the importance of terminology, particularly the terms "Chino" and "China," which were used in colonial discourse to categorize individuals from Asia, regardless of their specific ethnic backgrounds. This categorization often flattened diverse identities into a single label, complicating historical narratives.
The discussion also addresses the challenges of historical research, particularly the difficulties in interpreting archival documents where individuals are often identified only by broad categories. Dr. Luis shares insights into the legal and social structures that affected these individuals, including the role of the Inquisition and the caste system in colonial Mexico, which shaped their identities and experiences.
The conversation touches on the harsh realities of the transpacific journey, with many individuals facing horrific conditions aboard ships, often described as prisons. Dr. Luis highlights that many people were coerced into migration, and even those who were considered free often had limited choices.
Towards the end, Dr. Luis shares the story of Katarina de San Juan, emphasizing her significance as a symbol of resilience and the complexities of identity in colonial society. The discussion concludes with Dr. Luis encouraging viewers to explore the history of Asians in the Americas, a topic often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Speakers
- Dr. Diego Javier Luis (Assistant Professor of History at Tufts University)
- Host (unnamed)
Notable Quotes
— 05:50 — « What better articulation is there of that experience of displacement as a child across the Pacific, conjuring a world in which one can be with one's parents again or envisioning a Homeland that's been lost? »
— 60:46 — « Even though Katarina ends her life as a free woman, the enslavement that she experienced was considered justified because she became Catholic as a result of it. »