The Historian's Table: Prologue - The First Asians in the Americas
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Introduction
In the inaugural episode of Season One, "Prologue: The First Asians in the Americas," host Charles Fournier sets the stage for a compelling exploration of a largely overlooked chapter in American history. Emphasizing the intrinsic connection between history and the historians who narrate it, Fournier introduces listeners to the profound journey of Diego Javier Luis, an assistant professor at Tufts University and author of the groundbreaking book, The First Asians in the Americas. This episode lays the foundational understanding of how Asians have been integral to the Americas far earlier than commonly perceived.
Photography as a Metaphor for History
Fournier begins by drawing an analogy between photography and historical narrative. He invites listeners to reflect on their most recent photograph, highlighting how a seemingly objective image is influenced by the photographer's perspective, choices, and background. This metaphor underscores his central thesis: history, much like photography, cannot be divorced from the personal lenses of those who record it.
"Though this photo is an objective representation of a moment, that objectivity is skewed by your eye, your background, and your preferences."
— Charles Fournier [00:00]
Unveiling Early Asian Presence in the Americas
The episode delves into the historical evidence of Asians in the Americas centuries before the transcontinental railroad and the arrival of European settlers like the pilgrims. Fournier introduces Diego Javier Luis, whose research shines a light on this early migration, challenging the conventional timeline of Asian American history.
"I think if your idea of Asian American history begins in the 19th century, then you have a very particular idea about Asian history in the Americas, when in fact that history extends far further back than that to the 16th century."
— Diego Javier Luis [02:41]
Diego details the presence of individuals like Juan Nunez from Calicut, India, who arrived in the Americas in the early 16th century, notably earlier than any known English settlements.
"He's listed in the Bishop of Mexico's will in 1548, and he probably arrived in the late 1520s or early 1530s."
— Diego Javier Luis [03:09]
Historical Context and Significance
Fournier contextualizes Diego's work by acknowledging the longstanding history of Indigenous peoples in the Americas, asserting that the focus of the podcast remains on the Asian American experience to provide a more nuanced and inclusive historical narrative.
"But for our purposes, we'll only be focusing on the Asian American experience back to Diego."
— Charles Fournier [03:49]
Diego emphasizes that Asians have been integral to the Americas longer than most Europeans, thereby challenging and expanding the traditional narratives of American history.
"Asians have been here as long and in fact longer than the overwhelming majority of European people in the Americas too."
— Diego Javier Luis [04:09]
Personal Journeys and Academic Pursuits
A pivotal moment in Diego's academic trajectory occurred during his time at Brown University, where mentorship and serendipitous encounters guided him toward his research focus. Fournier shares the story of how a Spanish text on China, recommended by Professor Evelyn Hudehart, ignited Diego's passion for exploring the trans Pacific movements of Asians to the Americas.
"It's like, holy shit, there are Spaniards in China."
— Diego Javier Luis [09:12]
This realization not only broadened Diego's understanding of global connections but also highlighted the complexities of empire identities and the recognition of sophisticated non-European civilizations by European powers.
Intersecting Lives: Diego and Julian's Connection
The episode also introduces Julian Saporin, a fellow historian and friend of Diego, whose background and research intersect with Diego's in meaningful ways. Their shared experiences as mixed-race individuals from Nashville, Tennessee, and their academic endeavors at Brown University underscore the personal dimensions intertwined with their scholarly pursuits.
"We were both getting PhDs at Brown University. There will never be another pair of people to do that."
— Diego Javier Luis [14:32]
Julian shares his own struggles with presenting a balanced portrayal of history through music, encountering resistance when attempting to showcase the multifaceted realities of Japanese internment camps.
"I was kind of portraying this in my music and in these images, because there's photos of people sad by barbed wire... but there's also mostly photos of people smiling."
— Julian Saporin [18:26]
Challenging Simplistic Narratives
Both Diego and Julian advocate for a more honest and comprehensive depiction of history, resisting the temptation to simplify or sanitize complex human experiences. Their work seeks to illuminate the enduring impacts of historical events on contemporary society, emphasizing that history is not merely a collection of distant events but a living influence on present-day identities and societal structures.
"You can't really, you can't disentangle who you are from the work that you do. It's fundamental."
— Diego Javier Luis [05:24]
The Power of History
Diego eloquently articulates the importance of history in understanding and shaping the present. By uncovering the extensive presence and contributions of Asians in the Americas, his research provides valuable insights into ongoing discussions about race, identity, and belonging.
"I think the bottom line is history matters. This stuff didn't go away... You can still see the pieces of it are still around, and it impacts our lives."
— Diego Javier Luis [19:59]
He underscores that this historical awareness can bridge gaps in contemporary understandings of colonialism, race, and social dynamics.
"There's something empowering... about just knowing that people were here for so long, people like us were here for so long."
— Diego Javier Luis [20:50]
Conclusion and Future Episodes
Fournier concludes the prologue by outlining the structure of the forthcoming episodes, which will delve deeper into Diego's research on the Spanish galleons, his personal history, and the broader narratives of Asian presence in the early Americas. The episode emphasizes the intertwined nature of personal identity and scholarly inquiry, setting the stage for a nuanced exploration of history through the lens of those who lived it and those who study it.
"Our ability to reflect on our own identities and accept our own contradictions and complications directly correlates with our ability to view and accept the contradictions and complications of history."
— Charles Fournier [21:16]
Listeners are invited to continue this journey in Act 1, where Diego's childhood and the intricate history of the Spanish galleons will be explored in greater detail.
Credits
- Host: Charles Fournier
- Guest: Diego Javier Luis, Assistant Professor at Tufts University
- Guest: Julian Saporin, Historian and Musician
- Production: Charles Fournier, Noah Greenspan (Editing)
- Music: Julian Saporin
- Mixing and Mastering: Seth Boggess
- Funding: Tufts University
Listeners are encouraged to leave a rating and review to support the podcast and spread awareness of this important historical discourse.
This detailed prologue serves as a compelling invitation to uncover the rich and often untold histories of Asians in the Americas, challenging listeners to reconsider preconceived notions and embrace a more inclusive and honest portrayal of the past.