Historical Roots in Positioning Chinese International Students in the US: Race and Culture from 1872-1949

Abstract

Chinese international students (CIS) have been entangled in a complex narrative of anti-Asian sentiments that dates back to their early interactions in the United States. Yet, a lack of research has focused on the historical roots and racial dynamics of CIS have encountered. This study will focus on the first two waves (1872-1949) to examine CIS experiences, history, and roots of anti-Chinese sentiment. Positioning theory is used as the conceptual lens to examine how CIS located themselves and were positioned by others, delineating duties, rights, expectations, and obligations in the first two waves. Critical discourse analysis serves as the methodology, allowing an in-depth analysis of textual language to uncover patterns of dominance, and power dynamics, and identify the inclusion and exclusion based on language use. The findings contribute insights into the historical aspects of anti-Chinese sentiment, elucidating the multifaceted positionings of CIS within the American socio-cultural landscape.