Research Question: What characterizes an ethnic enclave and how are they able to survive through gentrification and the growing idea of assimilation?
Flushing provides a good case study to address the question because it’s a great example of an ethnic group that has unified itself and created its own enclave that is like a world of its own. The enclave serves as a starting point for immigrants who are trying to start their a new life, and because of this flushing is becoming one of the new, rapidly growing Chinatowns. Flushing is also a good example of a new enclave forming as a result of the start of gentrification in Manhattans Chinatown, along with other places.
Chinatown in Manhattan, this neighborhood serves as a good comparison for our question because it has the longest history as a chinatown in New York City. Since it has the longest history, it is the best example of a place where immigrants first settled and created their ethnic enclave. We can now see the effects of attempts at assimilation, as well as gentrification, on the ethnic enclave, and what immigrants are doing in response. A comparison can be made on how the newer chinatowns are forming, and how the one in manhattan had originally formed, what are the similarities and differences? Will this serve as a predictor for the future of the other chinatowns?
Chinatown in Sunset Park, this neighborhood serves as a good comparison because this is one of the newer chinatowns forming in Brooklyn, New York. When it first started growing it was evident that it was a new chinatown because of the lack of families, and the abundance of single, working men. This area used to be characterized as the slums/ghetto, but now it is a place where families are being established and are able to grow.
To be able to analyze this research question we will mainly be using newspaper articles, articles from the hunter databases, and blogs, which will allow first hand experience in these neighborhoods. Newspaper articles may contain some bias, but will be a good way to see the different perspectives and thoughts on these neighborhoods. The databases will provide us with information, that will hopefully not be bias, and will also provide statistics on immigration, etc.
-Roxanna Rahgozar and Christina John
