Prairie Lotus

Hanna witnesses riots in Los Angeles where the White majority lynches Chinese men, burning and looting their homes and businesses. Her mother dies as a result of smoke inhalation when she tries to save someone during the riots. Her papa had "throttled a man half to death" because someone had insulted his wife. He was nearly charged with assault. Papa's mood changes often, and at one point he yanks Hanna into a wagon. When she says that he's hurting her, he says, "You think that hurts?" Hanna learns to shoot a rifle to keep them safe on their journeys. Hanna is assaulted by two drunken men in the street who tear her dress, scratch her, and squeeze her hard enough to make a bruise. These men prepare to sexually assault her, but she manages to get away. She feels she can't tell her father about the assault, and has nightmares about it. The rumor of the assault keeps people away from her father's new business.

Hanna's called racist names like "slanty eyes," "slitty eyes," "Chinamen eyes," and "dirty Chinamen." Some parents refuse to let their children be in the same room as her, saying she's "dirty."

Hanna is assaulted in the street by two drunken men who tear her dress then fall to the ground because they are so drunk.