Presented by Boxser Diversity Initiative

Strangers in the Land | Michael Luo

About This Event

In the mid-19th century, tens of thousands of Chinese immigrants traveled to American shores in the pursuit of a better life in the “land of opportunity.” Quickly, however, their quest for the American dream became a nightmare, as racial violence and anti-Chinese sentiment became widespread, culminating in the signing of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Author Michael Luo explores the complex story of the Chinese American community, following their perseverance in the face of bigotry from the mid-1800s through today, detailing how Chinese Americans have become an essential part of our nation’s cultural, political, and economic life.

MICHAEL LUO is an executive editor at The New Yorker and writes regularly for the magazine on politics, religion, and Asian American issues. He joined The New Yorker in 2016. Before that, he spent thirteen years at the New York Times, as a metro reporter, national correspondent, and investigative reporter and editor. He is a recipient of a George Polk Award and a Livingston Award for Young Journalists

This event is free and open to all. Space is limited; reservations required. 

Your support makes a difference! The Boxser Diversity Initiative relies on donations from community members like you to keep our programs free and accessible to all. Your contribution ensures we can continue bringing important conversations to our community. Please consider making a donation today.

About This Event

In the mid-19th century, tens of thousands of Chinese immigrants traveled to American shores in the pursuit of a better life in the “land of opportunity.” Quickly, however, their quest for the American dream became a nightmare, as racial violence and anti-Chinese sentiment became widespread, culminating in the signing of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. Author Michael Luo explores the complex story of the Chinese American community, following their perseverance in the face of bigotry from the mid-1800s through today, detailing how Chinese Americans have become an essential part of our nation’s cultural, political, and economic life.

MICHAEL LUO is an executive editor at The New Yorker and writes regularly for the magazine on politics, religion, and Asian American issues. He joined The New Yorker in 2016. Before that, he spent thirteen years at the New York Times, as a metro reporter, national correspondent, and investigative reporter and editor. He is a recipient of a George Polk Award and a Livingston Award for Young Journalists

This event is free and open to all. Space is limited; reservations required. 

Your support makes a difference! The Boxser Diversity Initiative relies on donations from community members like you to keep our programs free and accessible to all. Your contribution ensures we can continue bringing important conversations to our community. Please consider making a donation today.

Getting There

Ringling Museum of Art, Historic Asolo Theater
5401 Bay Shore Rd
Sarasota, FL 34243

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Funding for BDI's 2025-26 Discussion Series is provided by the Zella I. and Junius F. Allen Fund and the Edward K. Roberts Emerging Needs Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is a public charity founded in 1979 by the Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council as a resource for caring individuals and the causes they support, enabling them to make a charitable impact on the community. With assets of $488 million in more than 1,580 charitable funds, the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling $40 million dollars last year in the areas of education, the arts, health and human services, civic engagement, animal welfare and the environment. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has been able to grant more than $435.8 million to area nonprofit organizations to our community thanks to the generosity of charitable individuals, families, and businesses. For more information, visit www.CFSarasota.org or call (941) 955-3000.