Blood, Sweat, Tears & Bravery from Xinning, Guangdong to Petaluma, California
What did Chinese immigrants experience at home that pushed them to come to California? In this workshop, read selections together as researcher Professor Chingling Wo from the Sonoma State English Department offers an English translation of the 19th century Chinese local gazette from Xinning (the historic name for Taishan), the region most of the early Chinese immigrants came from. Through a short lecture, hands-on activities, and group discussion, participants will get the chance to see the Chinese humanized rather than only as an empty racialized sign. Local teachers interested in teaching history of Chinese laborers in Petaluma are especially encouraged to attend.
Limited seating.
Image Credit: Chinese workers operating a dredging machine, Henan Province, China, c. 1970s. Source: Sohu.com (搜狐), https://www.sohu.com/a/699572578_99949262. © Original photographer/source unknown. Image reproduced for educational and noncommercial purposes.
Petaluma River Park Foundation would like to thank the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) for the Coastal Stories grant allowing us to bring forward stories from communities and voices historically excluded from the storytelling on California’s coast and publicly accessible lands. Our project will highlight three little-known or untold stories from the Coast Miwok, Chinese, and Latinx communities that helped shape the place and culture of Petaluma and the River Park location.