The Crossing East Archive Project

Crossing East is eight one hour documentaries on the history of Asian American immigration, from pre-America to post-9/11.  Because of systematic exclusionary laws, Asians immigration has been restricted over the course of America’s history; Asians are now a low four percent of the population in America.  Though many are third or fourth generation Americans, Asians are viewed as perpetual foreigners and their history has largely been untold.  Crossing East is the first comprehensive series on radio or television on Asian American history. Listen for it May 2006-May 2007 on public radio stations.

Crossing East concentrates on the many waves of Asian immigration into America and the impact this immigration has had on descendants, global ties, and the making of this country.  Crossing East relies on scholar and oral history interviews, archival recordings, and professional actors reading historical documents and literature, as well as original music by Asian American musicians around the country.

Crossing East Relations

Ellen Choy (right) Photo: Brooke Anderson Photography

Crossing East: Relations is a one-hour documentary special produced by Dmae Roberts, executive producer of MediaRites’ Crossing East series with Robynn Takayama and Alan Montecillo. The documentary addresses AAPIs and the Model Minority Myth and the historic relationship between AAPIs and African Americans. As part of a 10th anniversary celebration of the Peabody-winning radio series Crossing East, which aired on 230 public radio stations around the country we’ve been producing this documentary as well gathering more than 100 hours of oral history recordings for the Crossing East Archive.

For more info visit the MediaRites Crossing East: Relations page.