United
States entered into the World War Two because of Japan’s attacked
on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. United States’ entry into
the war changed women and racial minority role in the society. Since
many working age white males had gone to the war, there were a lot of
opportunities to take the
jobs they had once held.
Chinese women immigrants organized activities and worked in the areas
of fund-raising, propaganda, civil defense and for the Red Cross. They
worked at defense factories
and in the private sectors. Although many Chinese women immigrants got work,
their work was reflected the class and cultural backgrounds of their status
in the society. Middle-class immigrant women worked in door-to-door solicitation
and propaganda work. American-born Chinese women sponsored a dance and a fashion
show, volunteered for Red Cross work and outreach in the non-Chinese community.
Working –class immigrant women worked at factories and private sectors.
Parties and parades like dance parties and fashions show were the most effective
way to raise money to spread propaganda.
The Chinese women immigrants had less race discrimination than other
immigrants in America during and after the war. China’s allied
relationship to America helped the Chinese in the United States. On the
contrary, the Japanese immigrants
suffered an immense setback due to the attack of Peal Harbor. A lot of them
were forced to go to concentration camps.
By working outside of the house, Chinese women immigrants broadened their public
role. Although there was inequity in wages, chances for upward mobility and gender
discrimination, the Chinese women immigrants made the best use of their rare
opportunities to prove themselves and raise their social standing.
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