A tale of two Delta towns: Uncovering Asian American history (Part 1)

The historic town of Isleton is a little more than an hour drive north of Berkeley. Back in the late 1800s, mostly Chinese and Japanese immigrants lived there to work. They ended up playing a big role in transforming what we know as the delta area today. Gia Vang has the story.
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[@yehuo2825]

this is the kinda news we need! wish more tourists will visit these small towns to learn the history of asian americans!

[@bigbigdog]

Excellent video. Always curious about Asian American histories in the Bay Area. Thank you very much.

[@AliasHSW]

Back in those days the Chinese called SF Bay Area “Big Township/City” and the Sacramento Valley; San Joaquin Valley, San Jose, Monterey Bay were nicknamed - I forgot which is what though - ”2nd Township Area” “3rd Township Area, “4th Township…” because it’s easier to say and for example to get connected to the party you are calling on the telephone 📞 when the assistance of a phone switchboard operator was needed.

[@smoothoperator1083]

Fun Fact: Pat Morita (Mr. Miyagi) from the Original Karate Kid was Born in Isleton. 💯

[@f430ferrari5]

Yes and Pat Morita utilized how Chinese immigrants spoke in his time with Happy Days as Arnold. Some maybe can’t recognize the difference but his Japanese accent in Karate Kid is different than Happy Days. I like to believe Chinese Americans and Japanese Americans got along quite well through the years and decades.

[@jonnytang9949]

Next stop when I’m in the area!

[@keith2059]

Thank you NBC Bay Area for show this type of NEWS about Isleton in the 1800's history!

[@keith2059]

Being third generation of American Japanese. I will tell my family and friends about this video! Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and take care!

[@jeschr3462]

I first heard about this small town just a few weeks ago because of the earthquake that was centered here. Now I'm learning that this place is a historic town. Seems like a nice quiet pleasant town.

[@Leroy510]

Is there a link for Part 2 about Locke?

[@rosecolouredglasses]

what a cute town! also love that the townspeople care about their roots

[@sber3911]

I love Peter's Steakhouse. Please support them, because they are great people and their food is awesome.

[@user-eh2hj8bx6O]

PLEASE ADD PART 2 LINK IN DESCRIPTION BOX I CAN'T FIND IT ON KZbin

[@cuongtrinh9241]

Thank thank.

[@shadowkitewing]

Great for the Chinese & Japanese Americans! I just wish they would honor all immigrant Americans in this light because everyone deserves the same recognition for contributing in their own way.

[@user-pn9db8sm5w]

This was interesting, I'd like to visit. Where is part 2?

[@AliasHSW]

The Chinese immigrants have predominantly and tremendously contributed to developing California’s industries and infrastructures throughout its entire US history for it become one of the greatest economy in the world.

[@giftedgreen2152]

Cute propaganda

[@AliasHSW]

@@giftedgreen2152 Let’s not forget your freedom you inherited were at the disposition of the Chinese challenging them in SC

[@giftedgreen2152]

@@AliasHSW Asia is the largest continent. Why can’t you just stay there?

[@AliasHSW]

@@giftedgreen2152 - KZbin was founded by Chinese-Taiwanese. Without him you would not be here making dumb remarks.

[@miket4234]

@@giftedgreen2152 clown talk

[@LeeBross-r7r]

I knew of Locke being a town built by Chinese but did not know about Isleton.

[@sfkevlar]

Where is Part 2, the story of Locke?

[@chiwalker7325]

Great Job ✌🏾

[@davinxi5926]

Built the nations railroad and wineries and other small business, building the country it is today !

[@jillbelas7266]

Not true. Most of the millions of railroads were built by whites. America was 92% white recently as 50 years ago.

[@yummytummy88]

And yet the mass media still portray them as immigrants even thought they came here and help build the foundation of the West Coast without killing the native Americans Indians

[@bobbymoss6160]

Great story.

[@maily8388]

What is the town name and how to get there from San Francisco?. I like to visit.

[@ghplatt]

Isleton, CA

[@vinucini4341]

Nearly all the developments and industrialisation that America has achieved in all these centuries there is a small mark of China 🇨🇳. Don't know why Americans are isolating them now.

[@johnthompson7548]

The Flannery group - California Forever- bought half of that town for what ever screwy project the billionaires are trying to do.

[@UpUpDnDnLtRtLtRtBAStart]

How does the description use Berkeley as a reference point. LOL

[@dski8097]

Alot more people know about American Asian history than you think. Just because it's not talked about every day does not mean they don't know about the hardships these people went through. These people were true Americans.

[@TYZyi5ss]

But nowadays, caring about Asian Americans is rare and almost nowhere in this nation's policy. Black Life Matters. Jewish anti-hate association in all the colleges. But what about Asians? Ivy League Schools are still minimizing the possibilities of Asian students' enrollment rates, just because they work hard and they need to work harder to beat their Asian peers. How ridiculous is that. Millions of Chinese workers were sold like slaves in this country to build the railroads and didn't end up a good life, but almost no one talks about it now. Chinese Exclusion Act was even more horrible, as they were not allowed to own any single property in this country. All the beautiful Chinatowns you see today are because they were expelled from the commercial center of the city. Americans are just used to hearing about negative and demonized news about Chinese, the largest Asian community, Fu Manchu, CCP, Dictatorship, etc, and so don't really give a shit to Asians living in this country either, cos they just think -- Ah they are smart and they can figure out a way themselves.

[@SL-lz9jr]

I grew up in San Francisco. Asian American history was commonly taught there and probably in other parts of California and maybe elsewhere in America where there is predominantly Asian populations. But I highly doubt it’s taught all across America. If American students today don’t even understand the histories and contributions of early black Americans, I highly highly doubt most Americans know much about Asian Americans beyond the Gold Rush. Let’s be real.

[@AthenaSaints]

To be clear, this is "pre-Communists era" Chinese

[@yummytummy88]

Communist is an ideology where everyone is treated equal and the wealth is spread evenly for the good of that country while Capitalism is the opposite as everyone is on their own, those who succeed became billionaires while the mass majority living by paychecks or hand out. Communist is often use as a mean lead the American empire to take what is not there and eliminate who resist.

[@GeorgeSkinner-eq1jd]

Funny thing is, this isn’t news.

[@worldlife9834]

A biased look at history sponsored by corporate special interest media.

[@giftedgreen2152]

Never forget the Chinese came here to pick gold off the ground and sell opium.

[@RacerX1971]

Don't forget the Opium war😂😂

[@AliasHSW]

Let’s not forget your freedom you inherited were at the disposition of the Chinese challenge them in SC

[@miket4234]

goofy over here sounds like he jealous chinese folks makin a good livin here

[@Brian01987]

some history should be forgotten

[@ManChan-w5p]

Who gets to choose? We should forget Adolf Hitler ever existed.

[@Dane-o7q]

Research AL THE WOPS. steak house. locke ca.