Final answer:
The main difference between white and Chinese prostitutes in San Francisco was that white prostitutes were afforded more legal protections, while Chinese prostitutes were subjected to significant discrimination and harsh conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The biggest difference between white and Chinese prostitutes in San Francisco, according to Wu, was that white prostitutes had more legal protections, while Chinese prostitutes faced discrimination. This discrimination was evident in various aspects of their lives, not least due to organized anti-Chinese sentiment, such as the formation of "anti-coolie clubs" by White Americans in the 1870s that targeted Chinese immigrants, leading to boycotts and laws that discriminated against them. In contrast, white prostitutes may have been seen as part of the city's vice economy, which, while problematic, was somewhat protected by unspoken agreements between police and the underworld. As a result, white prostitutes often operated with greater impunity or legal tolerance compared to their Chinese counterparts, who endured not only the hardships of their profession but also racial prejudice.
In the context of sex work, Chinese women, often in dire poverty, had to navigate an environment of built-in racial discrimination, limited social services, and harsh working conditions. The Chinese community's efforts to create support systems within San Francisco did not necessarily extend to women engaged in prostitution, highlighting the severe marginalization and disadvantage faced by Chinese prostitutes compared to their white counterparts.