Tyrus Wong--We Can Never Go Back

PBS American Masters Tyrus Wong chronicles the life and times of a humble, but immensely talented Chinese-American artist.  He arrived in the United States at the age of nine with his father in 1919.  The story of Tyrus exemplifies the prejudices and cruelties of the past toward Asian immigrants. In fact it is a story of our nation's history of fear of anyone that is not Caucasian.

Luckily, Tyrus Wong lived a long life and passed away at the age of 106. He triumphed by "hard work" and an affable nature that garnered him praise from the Disney Studios, Warner Brothers and a host of American artists.

This is not a pretty story of our history in California.  On the year of my birth, 1948, Chinese Americans were finally allowed to own property. Prior to this time Chinese Americans were not allowed to marry outside of their race and were segregated in China Town.

Tyrus and his life long companion and wife Ruth raised three daughters in Sunland, California where they found some acceptance and peace.

The message of Tyrus Wong is prejudice and bigotry is immoral.  We as a nation can never go back to times of fear and segregation.