Caricature of Chinese Man, from World's Dudes series (N31) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph, part of Allen & Ginter's "World's Dudes" series for cigarette cards, presents a caricature of a Chinese man. The image reflects a period of intense anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States, fueled by economic anxieties and racial prejudice in the late 19th century. The exaggerated features and stereotypical attire contribute to the dehumanization of Chinese immigrants, a common practice during this time, especially in media. The card served to reinforce existing power structures, maintaining a racial hierarchy that favored white Americans. The presence of the cigarette is not accidental. The opium wars had been driven by the desire of the British to trade opium to the Chinese in return for, among other things, tea. And the figure holds the cigarette with an almost dandyish affect, which has the double effect of feminizing the figure as well as racializing him. These cards circulated widely, normalizing discrimination and contributing to an atmosphere of hostility that resulted in discriminatory laws and violence against Chinese communities. The emotional impact of such images is a chilling reminder of the pervasiveness and insidiousness of racism in everyday life.