AboutTom Schott Expertise Civil War, Reconstruction, military and political, Southern politics, slavery, civil war causation, general American history. Prefer 18th/19th century, but can handle all.
Experience Ph.D. in American history. College level teacher. Published author.
Question Dear Tom,
I've been a life long history buff but there's one area that is just really hard to find any information, so even if you just have places in which to refer me, that would be great!
This is a very general question because I have absolutely no knowledge in this area. I am a Korean-American who has lived in the South my whole life, and I love reading the history of the South. Although the Asian population is generally very new to the South, there have been few numbers of Asians who have lived many generations in the South, especially Japanese rice growers in Texas.
How were Asians segregated in the South in the years after Reconstruction and before desegregation? Were Asians grouped together with African-Americans when it came to eateries, schools, entertainment venues, etc.? If so, how were the Asians that were segregated into other racial groups treated by those groups (i.e. if Asians were segregated into groups with African-Americans, how were they treated by them?)?
Again, I know this is something with obscure record and research, so just pointing me in the direction of information would be greatly appreciated! Anything of the lives of Asian-Americans in the South during the segregation era would be great. Thank you!
Answer Tim,
To tell you the truth, the Asian population was so minuscule in the South it was practically invisible. I was not even aware of the Japanese rice growers in Texas till you mentioned them. All of which means there was no settled policy about how to deal with Asians. My guess is their experience varied depending on locale and time.
As to where to look: I'd call the research librarian at your nearest university, or alternately, the research desk at your local library. These sources are terribly underused, and they are some of the best tools around.
