At a time when most Chinese in the United States were living in a
defensive crouch, Moy Jin Kee (梅振基; 1847-1914), Moy Jin Mun (梅振文;
1851-1936) and Jin Fuey Moy (梅振魁; 1862-1924) were making waves and taking
names.
The
Moy brothers, late 19th century Chinese immigrants to America,
crossed lines and broke barriers. Tough men whose lives were hemmed
in by prejudice and restrictive laws, they were scrappy and
ambitious, and they were in the U.S. to stay. In an era when Chinese
were excluded from America’s shores and most already there kept their
heads down, they stood up and spoke out against injustices. They
fought for their countrymen and used all means available to get
ahead, up to and including committing petty crimes and, in the case
of one brother, heinous ones.
Three
Tough Chinamen tells stories of outwitting laws that mandated
that Chinese accept third-class status if they desired even a small
share in the American dream.
The Moy brothers did what they had to do to succeed and prosper, and
their tales offer a window into the lives of America’s Chinese at
the turn of the 20th century. They tell of navigating obstacles and
of culture clash, and of how Western ethics and laws fared among
Asian immigrants when they went head to head, as they inevitably had
to, against ancient values like clan loyalty, and against personal
interests and greed.
The
Moy brothers, late 19th century Chinese immigrants to America,
crossed lines and broke barriers. Tough men whose lives were hemmed
in by prejudice and restrictive laws, they were scrappy and
ambitious, and they were in the U.S. to stay. In an era when Chinese
were excluded from America’s shores and most already there kept their
heads down, they stood up and spoke out against injustices. They
fought for their countrymen and used all means available to get
ahead, up to and including committing petty crimes and, in the case
of one brother, heinous ones.
Three
Tough Chinamen tells stories of outwitting laws that mandated
that Chinese accept third-class status if they desired even a small
share in the American dream.