The most well-known race riot in Vancouver's history was the Anti-Asian Riot of 1907, organized by the Asiatic Exclusion League (AEL). It targeted the city's Chinese and Japanese communities, fueled by anti-immigrant sentiment, economic fears, and racism.
The 1907 Race Riot in Vancouver
On September 7, 1907, a large crowd, incited by inflammatory speeches at an AEL rally, marched through Vancouver’s Chinatown and Japantown.
They smashed windows, looted businesses, and vandalized homes.
In Chinatown, many Chinese residents fled in fear as their shops were destroyed.
Japantown residents, many of whom were fishermen and martial artists, fought back, successfully defending their neighborhood.
The riot was part of a broader wave of anti-Asian sentiment in Canada and the U.S. at the time, leading to further immigration restrictions, such as the Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1908, which limited Japanese immigration.
Did Emily Carr Talk About the Race Riots?
Emily Carr lived in Victoria and Vancouver during this time and witnessed racial tensions. While she did not focus on the 1907 riot specifically, she did write about her observations of Indigenous and Asian communities.
In Growing Pains, she describes her fascination with different cultures but also reflects some of the racial biases of her time.
She acknowledged the discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples and, to some extent, Chinese immigrants.
However, she was more focused on art and her personal struggles than on political activism.
If you're interested in deeper historical context, I can check for more references to Emily Carr’s views on race relations. Would that help?
