This delayed them from becoming American citizens as they had to pay off their debt first. Despite this, through the Naturalization Law of 1790 they were able to obtain citizenship. This law stated that “any alien, being a free white man, who has resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for a term of two years, shall be eligible to become a citizen” (Naturalization Act of 1790). This differs from the Chinese one as the Chinese were prevented in every possible way from obtaining American citizenship. Both immigrants arrived around the same time and held similar jobs. They worked just as hard when they contributed to America, such as building the transcontinental railroad, but the Irish were given first privilege because they were white. The fact that Takaki shares this once again shows how the Master Narrative does not provide the meaning of an American as being white should not be the main reason. The Irish were chosen because, as Toni Morrison has observed, the Master Narrative states that “American' has been defined as 'white'” and “Not to be 'white' is to be designated as the 'Other': different, inferior , and unassimilable” (Takaki, 4). Therefore, the Chinese were considered un-American because they were different. This then caused white Europeans to believe that they were not worthy of being involved in American history when it comes to the Master Narrative. Now, this country is made up of different races who have done much to build what America is today. These minorities are Americans, like the Chinese, but the Master Narrative failed to see them