The Chinese American Railroad Workers in New Mexico
Presented by author Fred Friedman.
Commemorating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
Fred Friedman’s upcoming presentation focuses on the numerous, although little known, contributions of Chinese men and women to railroad development in New Mexico, from its late 1870s construction period, into the world war years, and beyond. While railroad work was perilous for all that did it, the Chinese overcame multiple added obstacles, including language difficulties, being assigned the more dangerous track assignments, and facing discriminating & demeaning treatment both on and off the job. How such difficulties were transformed into assets, that are slowly being recognized today, make up part of Mr. Friedman’s illustrated presentation on New Mexico Railroads & the Asset of Chinese Laborers.
1100 2nd St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
RSVP at (505) 243-6269 or email Leba4@aol.com for more information
Admission: Free but limited to 50 people.
Fred Friedman has an extensive background in New Mexico railroading history, having worked for many years in state government as a railroad administrator. He has also contracted with a variety of law firms as a railroad accident investigator and expert witness in railroad accident cases throughout the country. Fred is also a longtime board member of the Historical Society, having spoken on dozens of railroad topics associated with New Mexico that include ‘Native American Railroad Workers’, ‘Whatever Happened to Cabooses?’, and ‘Railroads, as Implementers of Federal Policy in the United States’.