Project Description

The Asian Texans History Project

Irwin A. Tang
8515 Shoal Creek Blvd., #204
Austin, TX 78757
Tel: 512-554-5431
asiantexans@hotmail.com

The Asian Texans History Project researches, documents, collects, chronicles, publicizes and teaches the history of Asian Americans in Texas. The Asian Texans History Project (ATHP) was established by Irwin A. Tang in 2002.

The first major goal of the ATHP is the research and writing of a book tentatively entitled "Asian Texans: Our Histories and Our Lives." The book is a pan-ethnic history of Asian Americans in Texas. We are currently seeking qualified researchers and writers to contribute work to the book.

Much of the history of Asian Texans has never been written, and contributors to the book will be doing groundbreaking work. Writers and researchers will work with at least a dozen or two others to research this fascinating history. Individuals or teams may work together to write individual chapters.

The book is edited and co-written by Irwin A. Tang. The University of Texas Press has offered Mr. Tang a publishing contract for "Asian Texans." Although Tang is the editor of the volume, "by-line" credit will be given in the book to all contributors.

Although authors will not be paid, "Asian Texans" will undoubtedly become one of the more important volumes of Texas history, as our state begins to fully encompass its diverse heritage. The University of Texas Press is perhaps the most prestigious publisher of Texas history.

If Mr. Tang agrees to the terms of the contract, the book must be submitted to the University of Texas Press in its final form by November 1, 2004 (see schedule below). The schedule is tight, so qualified contributors are encouraged to contact Mr. Tang as soon as possible.

Mr. Tang has written drafts for the first three chapters of the book (see tentative table of contents and chapter one, below). All three of those chapters deal with the early Chinese Texans, who first arrived in Texas around 1870. Mr. Tang needs writers and researchers to commit to writing chapters on the following subjects (see Tentative Table of Contents And Chapter Descriptions

"Asian Texans" has attracted a wide range of contributors, including university professors, graduate students, and undergraduate students (see Co-writers).

Please contact Irwin Tang by email or phone to request more information. Potential contributors must submit a curriculum vitae.

The ATHP has three specific goals:

1. The creation of an Asian Texans historical archive, which will include documents, articles, books, photographs, and oral histories of Asian Texans.
2. The publication of a book entitled, "Asian Texans: Our Histories and Our Lives," chronicling in plain language our history and telling the stories of our historical figures.
3. A campaign to educate the Texas public about our history.

Please peruse the Asian Texans book proposal, Chapter 1, and Mr. Tang's curriculum vitae by clicking on those links.