The study of Chinese in America has concentrated on how Chinese immigrants, and their descendants, were treated by mainstream American society and how they fought to overcome the social and legal barriers they faced for decades. Somewhat overlooked has been the lives of American born Chinese (ABCs) who emigrated to China in the first half of the 20th Century. Accurate data on how many ABCs were involved is not easy to determine, but one estimate is that as many as half of ABCs moved to China for varying lengths of residence there. In some cases, immigrant parents sent young children to China to live with relatives so they could learn the Chinese language and customs. Some adolescent and young adult Chinese felt they would have better futures in China than if they remained in the U.S. with its Chinese Exclusion Law, anti-Chinese prejudices, and numerous discriminatory laws that limited their opportunities. During the first half of the 20th century, even ABCs with college degrees from prestigious universities faced discrimination in the job market. Altruistic motives such as the belief that their knowledge and skills could help modernize China were also a factor for some ABCs. However, their Chinese language skills were a limitation and they also faced suspicion from Chinese authorities.
Historian Charlotte Brooks has done extensive research with archival material and interviews in an important 2019 book, American Exodus to examine why so many American born Chinese moved to China and what their lives were like there. Were they accepted in China or did they face discrimination from Chinese? How many decided to return to the U.S. eventually, and why? After World War II ended and the rise of Communist China, many returned to the U.S. and there were few, if any, new ABCs coming to replace them.
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