7:42 Interesting that Chinese-Mexican grandmother was Eurasian. This implies that Hing married a Mexican of European stock, not indigenous Mexican. Or mestizo. But identification as Eurasian effectively keeps the indigenous part silent. It was common practice that Chinese living in European colonies did business with the colonizers when they could and found this more economically beneficial than identifying with the indigenous population. That was simply the practicality of life when survival and avoiding poverty were the foremost priorities. Same thing happened in Dutch East Indies and Malaya. When the ruling elites were eventually overthrown and replaced by populist governments, the Chinese became easy targets because of built-up resentments over their roles in the elitist regimes. This theme is not mentioned in Wong’s discussion, I don’t think.
This is a good observation. I call my grandmother "Eurasian" because her own mother was mostly of Spanish decent (as you can see in the photograph), although she also had some Indian blood and was therefore mixed-race (mestiza). In 1900, a majority of the Mexican population was already mixed-race, versus close to 80% today, which was different with the situation in the European colonies of South East Asia (where less mixing happened). You are also correct in pointing out that Chinese merchants around the world often worked with "the colonizers". In my family's case, my ancestor did partner with both Mexican political elites and US businessmen in Mexico, serving as intermediaries. An important theme in my book, I show that in both the US and Mexico, the Chinese were often seen as siding with the side of the rich capitalists and against the common workers, like by breaking strikes, working for large corporations or farms, etc. However, it is worth noting than in Mexico, many Chinese also got close with the local indigenous Indians, through inter-marriage or commerce, which happened in South East Asia too.
Great video
OK, really didn't see this one coming... Nice one
Thanks. I hope you enjoyed it. Quite a history.
7:42 Interesting that Chinese-Mexican grandmother was Eurasian. This implies that Hing married a Mexican of European stock, not indigenous Mexican. Or mestizo. But identification as Eurasian effectively keeps the indigenous part silent. It was common practice that Chinese living in European colonies did business with the colonizers when they could and found this more economically beneficial than identifying with the indigenous population. That was simply the practicality of life when survival and avoiding poverty were the foremost priorities. Same thing happened in Dutch East Indies and Malaya. When the ruling elites were eventually overthrown and replaced by populist governments, the Chinese became easy targets because of built-up resentments over their roles in the elitist regimes. This theme is not mentioned in Wong’s discussion, I don’t think.
This is a good observation. I call my grandmother "Eurasian" because her own mother was mostly of Spanish decent (as you can see in the photograph), although she also had some Indian blood and was therefore mixed-race (mestiza). In 1900, a majority of the Mexican population was already mixed-race, versus close to 80% today, which was different with the situation in the European colonies of South East Asia (where less mixing happened). You are also correct in pointing out that Chinese merchants around the world often worked with "the colonizers". In my family's case, my ancestor did partner with both Mexican political elites and US businessmen in Mexico, serving as intermediaries. An important theme in my book, I show that in both the US and Mexico, the Chinese were often seen as siding with the side of the rich capitalists and against the common workers, like by breaking strikes, working for large corporations or farms, etc. However, it is worth noting than in Mexico, many Chinese also got close with the local indigenous Indians, through inter-marriage or commerce, which happened in South East Asia too.
Iam Chinese Mexican
Gracias señor por escuchar este episodio. Mi más sincero agradecimiento para usted.🙏