中國網(wǎng)站品牌欄目（頻道）
LOS ANGELES - The remains of some of America's earliest Chinese settlers, whose graves were discovered five years ago during construction of a light rail line, will soon be reburied in a cemetery that once denied them entry.
A memorial wall honoring the dead was dedicated Monday at a Los Angeles cemetery, where they will be re-interred beginning next month.
"This day is a long time in coming," said US Representative Judy Chu, who represents the area in Congress, at the ceremony at Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles.
"It is so significant that those early immigrants who suffered so many indignities in life will now, through internment, not have to suffer indignities through death,” she said.
The process comes after an exhaustive attempt by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to identify the century-old remains and locate their descendants. It began after construction crews unearthed bones and artifacts in June 2005 while widening a road.
Archaeologists later found 174 burial sites, some dating as far back as the 1880s. A few had headstones with engravings in Chinese; others were unmarked; some contained artifacts such as opium pipes, teapots and jade jewelry; and some were empty.
Historians believe the site was once a potter's field, a cemetery for the poor that was lost to developments in the 1920s.
Many Chinese were buried there because they were not allowed to be buried among non-Chinese whites in the nearby Evergreen Cemetery.
The discriminatory practice was part of laws enacted in 19th century California prohibiting Chinese settlers, most of them who came to the West to dig for gold and build the railroads, from becoming citizens, owning property or marrying non-Chinese whites.
The racist policy led to many segregated Chinese cemeteries throughout the West.
Questions:
1. How many Chinese burial sites did Los Angeles workers discover in the California city?
2. Why were cemeteries segregated in California during the 19th century?
3. Why did Chinese settlers come to California and other western US cities?
Answers:
1. Archaeologists found 174 burial sites.
2. Discriminatory laws did not permit Chinese settlers to be buried among non-Chinese whites in Los Angeles cemeteries. The3 laws also prohibited them from becoming citizens or owning property.
3. Many Chinese settlers came West to dig for gold and build the railroads.
（中國日報網(wǎng)英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.
?
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
