A Legal History of Asian Americans, 1790-1990 presents a poignant account of the history of racial intolerance that has permeated our legal system since its inception. the sacrifices of hundreds of courageous Asian Americans catalogued in this volume, affirm the work of those who continue to strive toward creating a system based upon principles of dignity, equality, and compassion. the names of individuals who were brave enough to step into the legal arena represent only a fraction of the countless numbers of sojourners who risked all they had in search of a place where justice and freedom could be realized.

We are often disabled in confronting the reality of institutional racism because its defining characteristics are often intangible, nonquantifiable, and impalpable. This book overcomes that disability--partly because of circumstance, partly because of perspective. the circumstance to which I refer is the passage of time and the inevitable making of a historical record. Sadly, that record is replete with examples of intellectual dishonesty, racial bigotry, cultural chauvinism, and greed. the perspective, which is so valuable to our understanding and acceptance of the truth about the evolution of our system of justice, comes from a first-generation Korean American who has chosen to dedicate his skills to the writing of a piece of American history. Professor Hyung-chan (Robert) Kim has presented a review and analysis of the experiences of Asian Americans who, as newcomers, were destined to remain invisible, voiceless, and exploited for at least three generations. the present volume recovers those lost chapters in the history of America--accounts of the hopeful who continued, at all cost, to pursue the American dream.

A Legal History of Asian Americans also represents the challenge that must be met by future generations of legal scholars, jurists, and practitioners. Our generation undoubtedly is the beneficiary of invaluable . . .