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Activity :

Activity Bellingham, Washington Riots involving South Asian Sikh immigrants

  • Grade Level 9th-12th Grade
  • Time Period Early 1900s
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Introduction

The Bellingham Riots of 1907 were a violent backlash against Punjabi Sikh immigrants in Bellingham, Washington, fueled by racial prejudice and economic tension. The rioters targeted South Asian laborers, leading to destruction of property and a forced exodus, reflecting the broader xenophobic and discriminatory attitudes of the time. The resource includes a 15 minute video clip and a set of reflection questions

Essential Questions

  • Over the course of U.S. history, in what ways have Asian Americans been targets of hate crimes and discrimination?

  • How do discrimination and microaggressions affect minority groups in society?

  • What can be done to prevent further discrimination and hate crimes in our society?

  • How has anti-Asian racism been encoded in legal and political structures?