They Call Us Bruce:
They Call Us Strangers in the Land
They Call Us Strangers in the Land
In this episode of "They Call Us Bruce," the hosts discuss various historical and cultural topics with their guest, Michael Luo, author of "Strangers in the Land, Exclusion, Belonging, the Epic Story of the Chinese in America" 00:00:30 to 00:00:57. The conversation delves into the themes of violence and resilience within Chinese American history. Luo emphasizes the importance of personal stories, such as that of Gene Tong, an herbal medicine doctor who was a victim of the Los Angeles Chinese massacre 00:21:31 to 00:21:46. The episode also touches on the narrative arc of Chinese immigrants facing challenges and obstacles, highlighting moments of empathy and solidarity amid dark historical events 00:20:00 to 00:20:29.
Luo further discusses the significance of saying the names of victims to humanize them 00:21:31 to 00:21:46, and the need to balance portrayals of violence with moments of hope, citing the story of a pet poodle found after a violent incident as a metaphorical representation of vulnerability 00:22:30 to 00:22:54. Additionally, the podcast reflects on the transformation of Chinese students in America, who became Americanized, a process seen as a scandal by some 00:43:30 to 00:43:55.
The episode concludes with the hosts expressing gratitude for the conversation and highlighting the podcast's role in sharing unique voices and stories from the Asian American community 00:59:01 to 00:59:25.
