Opium use, trafficking and racism as base for popular imagery of Chinese immigrants in Chihuahua: Asia reborn through opium den fumes

Abstract

Chinese immigrants faced conflicts upon their arrival in Chihuahua, particularly between the 1920s and 1930s. The racialized condition to which they were subjected to by the prejudices of the time, supported by a scientific discourse and a robust nationalism, unleashed racist movements against them, as in much of the world. These campaigns created the image of these immigrants as opium addicts and criminals. Taking advantage of this situation an attempt was made to denigrate them leading to the rise of anti-Chinese associations whose ultimate goal of Chinese expulsion became relatively successful. This smear was also used by members of the same community against internal rivals.

Keywords

• migration
• chinese
• xenophobia
• opium
• internal conflicts