Interconnected maps showing migration routes overlaid with modern-day racial demographics, symbolizing the impact of history on present-day society.

Unmasking Systemic Bias: How Historical Immigration Policies Still Impact Us

Reese Marlowe in Politics & Policy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into David C. Atkinson's "The Burden of White Supremacy" reveals the hidden roots of modern racial tensions and exclusionary practices."

In today's world, discussions about immigration and racial equity are more critical than ever. But to truly understand these complex issues, we need to look back at the historical policies and attitudes that have shaped our societies. David C. Atkinson's book, "The Burden of White Supremacy: Containing Asian Migration in the British Empire and the United States," offers a powerful lens through which to examine the roots of systemic bias and exclusion.

Atkinson's work delves into the early 20th century, a period marked by significant shifts in global migration patterns and the rise of exclusionary immigration policies. By comparing the experiences of Asian migrants in the British Empire and the United States, Atkinson reveals the interconnected nature of racism and nativism across different national contexts.

This article will explore the key themes and arguments presented in Atkinson's book, highlighting its relevance to contemporary discussions about race, immigration, and social justice. We'll unpack the historical context, examine the specific policies and practices that targeted Asian migrants, and consider the lasting impact of these actions on our world today.

The Global Web of Exclusion: Understanding Historical Immigration Policies

Interconnected maps showing migration routes overlaid with modern-day racial demographics, symbolizing the impact of history on present-day society.

Atkinson's central argument is that the exclusion of Asian migrants in the early 20th century was not simply a series of isolated national events, but rather a coordinated effort driven by shared racial anxieties and economic interests. He demonstrates how countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United States enacted policies designed to limit or prevent Asian immigration.

These policies took various forms, from outright bans to discriminatory regulations targeting specific groups. For example, the Chinese Exclusion Act in the United States (1882) barred Chinese laborers from entering the country, while similar measures were implemented in other nations to restrict the entry of Indian and Japanese migrants.

Australia's "White Australia" Policy: This set of laws aimed to restrict non-European immigration, particularly from Asia.
Canada's Head Tax: A fee imposed on Chinese immigrants, designed to discourage their entry.
South Africa's Asiatic Land Tenure Act: Restricted Asian land ownership and economic activities.
The United States' Gentlemen's Agreement: An informal agreement with Japan to limit Japanese immigration.

Atkinson emphasizes that these policies were not simply the result of local prejudices, but were also shaped by international dynamics and diplomatic considerations. The Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 1894, for example, influenced Britain's approach to anti-Japanese policies in its dominions, as the British government sought to maintain good relations with Japan while also accommodating the racial anxieties of its colonies.

The Enduring Legacy: Why Historical Context Matters Today

Understanding the historical roots of immigration policies and racial discrimination is essential for addressing contemporary issues of inequality and injustice. Atkinson's work reminds us that the biases and prejudices of the past continue to shape our present, and that we must confront these legacies in order to create a more equitable future. By examining the interconnectedness of racial exclusion across different national contexts, "The Burden of White Supremacy" provides valuable insights for policymakers, activists, and anyone committed to building a more just and inclusive world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is the central argument in David C. Atkinson's "The Burden of White Supremacy"?

Atkinson's central argument in "The Burden of White Supremacy" is that the exclusion of Asian migrants in the early 20th century wasn't isolated but a coordinated effort driven by shared racial anxieties and economic interests. He highlights how countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United States enacted policies designed to limit Asian immigration. He illustrates how these weren't isolated incidents, but were shaped by international dynamics.

Can you provide some examples of the specific immigration policies that targeted Asian migrants in the early 20th century, as discussed in "The Burden of White Supremacy"?

Atkinson's work discusses several policies, including Australia's "White Australia" Policy, Canada's Head Tax on Chinese immigrants, South Africa's Asiatic Land Tenure Act restricting Asian land ownership, and the United States' Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred Chinese laborers. He also references the Gentlemen's Agreement with Japan which was an informal agreement by the US to limit Japanese immigration. These examples reflect a broad effort to curb Asian migration through varied legislative and diplomatic means.

How did international relations, like the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 1894, influence immigration policies targeting Asian migrants, according to David C. Atkinson?

According to Atkinson, the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of 1894 influenced Britain's approach to anti-Japanese policies in its dominions. The British government tried to balance maintaining good relations with Japan and accommodating the racial anxieties of its colonies. This illustrates how diplomatic considerations shaped discriminatory immigration policies, demonstrating the complexity of these policies beyond domestic prejudices.

What is the significance of understanding historical immigration policies, such as those described in "The Burden of White Supremacy," for addressing contemporary issues?

Understanding historical immigration policies and racial discrimination is crucial for addressing modern inequality and injustice. Atkinson's work highlights how past biases and prejudices continue to influence the present. Confronting these legacies is essential for creating a more equitable future. Examining the interconnectedness of racial exclusion offers insights for policymakers and activists committed to building a more just and inclusive world.

In what ways does "The Burden of White Supremacy" connect the historical exclusion of Asian migrants to current discussions about race and social justice?

"The Burden of White Supremacy" connects the historical exclusion of Asian migrants to current discussions about race and social justice by demonstrating how early 20th-century policies and attitudes have shaped today's racial landscape. Atkinson's analysis underscores that systemic bias has deep historical roots, and these biases continue to affect contemporary issues of immigration, equity, and social inclusion. By revealing the interconnectedness of racial exclusion across different national contexts, the work offers valuable insights for understanding and addressing modern racial tensions and exclusionary practices. However, the book only focuses on Asian migrants and does not provide information on the history and struggles of other groups.