‹‹ Colorado Matters

Re-examining Denver’s Anti-Chinese Riot– And How That History Echoes Modern Racism

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15min 53sec
Public Domain
One of the few depictions of Denver’s anti-Chinese riot of Oct. 31, 1880, this illustration (based on a sketch by N. B. Wilkins) appeared in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper on November 20 of that year. Rioters assault Chinese men, throw belongings out of windows and use wooden beams to destroy frame buildings. Rioters wear hats and sack suits, and Chinese men have queues (braids) and wear shan ku (tunic and trousers) and bu xie (cotton shoes).