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Deep Dive: The Six (2021)

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The Six
The Six is a documentary directed by Arthur Jones that tells the story of six Chinese survivors of the RMS Titanic. It focuses on their experiences during and after the sinking, detailing how they were treated upon arrival in New York. The film reveals that these men were held at the border and deported within 24 hours, reflecting the discrimination they faced due to the Chinese Exclusion Act in effect at the time. The film also examines the broader context of anti-Chinese immigration laws in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It connects the historical experiences of the survivors with contemporary issues of racism and discrimination, drawing parallels between the Chinese Exclusion Act and modern policies like Executive Order 13769 from 2017. The documentary aims to shed light on a forgotten chapter of history and the ongoing impact of these discriminatory practices on the survivors and their families.

Why Watch

  • •Meet the six Chinese Titanic survivors.
  • •Find out how they were treated after the disaster.
  • •See parallels with modern anti-Asian racism.

Did You Know

•Eight Chinese male passengers were aboard the Titanic, only six survived.
•Four of the survivors escaped on the same lifeboat as J. Bruce Ismay.
•The six survivors were deported within 24 hours of arriving in New York.
•Only 16% of other third-class men survived the Titanic sinking.

Perfect For

Titanic historyAnti-Asian racismImmigration policy