In the aftermath of two mass shootings involving AAPI populations, Mary Lui, a professor of History and American Studies at Yale, joins Heather and Joanne to discuss the influence of Asian Americans on the nation’s trajectory, from the origins of the “Old China Trade,” to the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, to the 1960s protest movements that fought for Asian American rights in the academy and beyond.  Join CAFE Insider to listen to “Backstage,” where Heather and Joanne chat each week about the anecdotes and ideas that formed the episode. Head to: cafe.com/history For more historical analysis of current events, sign up for the free weekly CAFE Brief newsletter, featuring Time Machine, a weekly article that dives into an historical event inspired by each episode of Now & Then: cafe.com/brief For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/asian-american-identities-a-national-story-with-mary-lui/ Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Check out other CAFE podcasts:  Stay Tuned with Preet: apple.co/2BxXfiO Up Against The Mob: apple.co/3x4sgYj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices