How we cite our quotes: (Section)
Quote #1
Whereas, in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory thereof. (Sec.1)
It's hard to find a more perfect encapsulation of the prejudice inherent in the act than that sentence. This pre-judges every single Chinese laborer as endangering the good of American territories. That's a stunning statement. You have to figure, even if you're super racist, that there's at least one Chinese person who's super awesome, right?
Quote #2
That the two foregoing sections shall not apply to Chinese laborers who were in the United States on the 17th day of November, 1880. (Sec.3)
While this section gives an exception to the law, it's also a case of prejudice. In this case, it's slightly positive, the idea being that the Chinese who were in America already were fine, or else they had already done all the damage they were going to.
Quote #3
[…] for the purpose of properly identifying Chinese laborers who were in the United States on the 17th day of November, 1880, or who shall have come into the same before the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this act, and in order to furnish them with the proper evidence of their right to go from and come to the United States of their free will and accord. (Sec.4)
Quick pro tip here: if legislation includes a section about identifying members of an ethnic group, it's not going to be treated kindly by history.
Quote #4
That hereafter no State court or court of the United States shall admit Chinese to citizenship; and all laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. (Sec.14)
Chinese people, according to this law, are so damaging that they can't even be allowed to become citizens. We don't like to judge the past, but that's crazy. The law is essentially pre-judging every last Chinese person on the planet and declaring them unfit to be an American.
Quote #5
That the words "Chinese laborers," wherever used in this act, shall be construed to mean both skilled and unskilled laborers and Chinese employed in mining. (Sec.15)
This provision is pre-judging, sure. But it's also making certain the law is clear on exactly who is getting pre-judged. That includes miners.