The interactive website is inspired by Erika Lee's exploration of gatekeeping theory and the Chinese Exclusion Act (1882–1943), in her work At America's Gates. Erika Lee explains how the Chinese Exclusion Act and its enforcement created and reinforced negative stereotypes about Chinese immigrants. The act was the first law in U.S. history to exclude a specific group based on race and nationality, framing Chinese immigrants as perpetual outsiders who couldn't integrate into American society. These policies didn't just affect immigration but also fueled discrimination against Chinese Americans already in the country, shaping the perception of them as foreign, untrustworthy, and un-American. The project highlights feelings of isolation, fear, and resilience among Chinese Americans as they face systemic racism and prejudice.