Chink facts for kids

Some words can have different meanings, and sometimes a word that sounds simple can also be used in a very harmful way.

Understanding Harmful Words

Some words have been used in the past, and sometimes still are, to hurt people because of their background, race, or where they come from. These words are called slurs. They are never okay to use because they are meant to be insulting and spread hatred.

Why Words Can Be Harmful

Words can be powerful. When people use slurs, it often comes from a place of prejudice. Prejudice means having a negative idea or feeling about someone just because they belong to a certain group, like a specific race or nationality. Slurs are used to make people feel less important or to treat them unfairly.

History of Anti-Asian Prejudice

Throughout history, people from East Asian countries, especially those who moved to Western countries, have sometimes faced unfair treatment and prejudice. This is called anti-Asian sentiment or anti-Asian racism.

Examples of Prejudice

• In the late 1800s and early 1900s, many people from China and other Asian countries came to places like the United States and Canada to work. They often faced discrimination, meaning they were treated differently and unfairly.
• Sometimes, this prejudice led to laws that made it harder for Asian immigrants to live, work, or become citizens.
• Propaganda, like racist postcards, was also used to spread negative and untrue ideas about Asian people. These ideas often created fear and misunderstanding, a concept sometimes called the "Yellow Peril."
• Even machines were named in ways that showed this prejudice. For example, a machine used in fish canneries was given a very offensive name, showing how common these harmful ideas were at the time. This machine was designed to replace human workers, many of whom were Chinese immigrants.

Fighting Against Prejudice

Today, many people work hard to educate others about the harm caused by slurs and prejudice. It's important to learn about these historical wrongs so we can make sure they don't happen again. Using respectful language and treating everyone with kindness is a key part of building a fair and inclusive world.

Images for kids

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  A racist postcard from 1907, promoting harmful ideas about people of East Asian descent.

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  A historical image showing a machine used in fish processing, which was given a very offensive name. It worked alongside Chinese fish plant workers.