Poetry can provide a window into the past, allowing us to connect to past generations' emotions, experiences and memories, thereby bringing history to life.
A poem published by the Vancouver Baak Yeung Lau Bookstore in 1923 demonstrates the power of poetry in protesting social injustice. Written by a person whose name has now been lost to time and titled “Never Forget July 1”, the following poem includes stark references to the Chinese Exclusion Act and the effects it wrought on the community*:
The heart-rendering July 1
marks our subjection to the Act
to the stifling escalating fear
like a lamb to the slaughter
The sufferings under the Cruel 43 are irreparable
are our embodied memories
our roots of hope
to end the white peril
to end the shame
to become avengers of the oppressed people
*English translation by Yao Sweden Xiao.
In commemoration of the Chinese Canadian Museum’s inaugural feature exhibition, The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, we invite you to join in remembering this somber period of Chinese Canadian history, over one hundred years later, through the medium of poetry. Open to poets of all ability levels and with a grand prize of publication in curator Catherine Clement’s forthcoming exhibition book on The Paper Trail, don’t miss this chance to further understanding of the Chinese Exclusion Act and its legacy for future generations.
Contest Rules
THEME
Poems must relate meaningfully to the Chinese Exclusion Act (Chinese Immigration Act, 1923) and contribute to understanding its legacy through the Act's effects and/or impacts, as historically or contemporarily interpreted.
ELIGIBILITY
This contest is open to poets of all skill levels. Entries by individuals who have never published a work of poetry before are especially encouraged.
Poems must be original, unpublished work that is not submitted for publication elsewhere during the contest.
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
Youth (grade 12 or under)
Adult (over 18 or graduated from high school)
Senior (65 and over)
SUBMISSION PERIOD
Poems must be submitted between September 15 - October 15, 2024, 11:59 P.M. PST.
SUBMISSION RULES
By participating in this contest, participants consent to having their poem and name published by the Chinese Canadian Museum and its organizers, should their entry be shortlisted.
Submissions are limited to two poems per person. Please submit a separate form for each poem.
Submissions must not include the author’s name or any other identifying information in the poem file or file name. Submissions will be blind judged and must remain anonymous for a fair evaluation.
No revisions or changes may be made to an entry once it has been submitted. Please carefully proofread and double-check your entry before you submit.
SUBMISSION FORMATTING
Entries in English and/or Chinese are accepted
Entry length
Word limit: up to 250 words per poem (less is fine)
Spoken word: up to 2 minutes
Digital submission format must be typed, Times New Roman, and 12pt font. Spoken word submissions must include an accompanying text document.
Accepted file types: .doc, .docx, .mp3, .mp4, and/or .m4a.
Mail-in submissions must be accompanied by a printed submission form and received by the contest deadline. Entries received after the submission deadline closes on October 15, 2024, 11:59 P.M. PST will not be considered.
Submissions must be mailed to the following address:
Chinese Canadian Museum
51 E Pender St
Vancouver, BC V6A 1S9
JUDGING CRITERIA
Poems will be judged based on the following criteria:
Conveys an understanding of the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act
Skillful and effective use of imagery, language, and metaphor
Absence of cliches
Submissions will be blind judged. Each submission will be assigned a reference number to match it to its author after judging is completed.
RESULTS
Winners will be announced by the end of October 2024.
AWARDS
Grand prize (1 per category): $300 cash prize and publication in The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act exhibition book. Winners will also receive a copy of The Paper Trail exhibition book once it becomes available.
Runner up (6 total): $100 cash prize and a copy of A Song for the Paper Children by Christopher Tse.
All winners will receive an annual pass membership to the Chinese Canadian Museum.
ADJUDICATION PANEL
- Catherine Clement - creator and curator of The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act
- Fiona Tinwei Lam - Vancouver’s 6th Poet Laureate
- Yao Sweden Xiao - Chinese Canadian community researcher and lecturer at UBC
Submissions open from September 15–October 15, 11:59 P.M. PST