These chapters were interesting in that they revealed all the different faces of the garment factory. The industry was not a stagnant business dominated by only one group of people. Instead, the industry was dynamic in that a progression of groups became its employees as conditions pushed and pulled new immigrants into the business. First the majority of garment workers were Jewish, then it was the Italians, followed by African Americans, Puerto Ricans, and ultimately the Chinese. This put the garment factory into context with larger migration patterns of the country. This also gave insight as to how succeeding immigrant groups had similar aspirations in the new world when compared to those of the groups before them.

The dynamic nature of the garment industry was also interesting because it fit in with the dynamic nature of New York City. Noted in the chapters were well-known designers who chose to give jobs to garment factories in the city rather than overseas because it was more convenient and much quicker. Therefore it is not too far of a stretch to say that the garment industry contributed to New York’s status as one of the fashion capitals in the world.

Regarding the differences in the Chinese and Korean garment workplace, one thing that I found confusing was how the Koreans were so much more adept in learning Spanish. This most likely contributed to how different the Chinese workplace, which was more relaxed, was when compared to the Korean garment workplace, which was more strict and rigid.

I also found the patterns of migration discussed in the chapters to be very interesting. My family followed more closely with the staged pattern of migration. My parents first immigrated to New York. Then they brought my grandparents from both sides of the family over. My aunt and uncle immigrated here only five years ago when their paperwork was finally processed. A majority of my extended family still lives in China.

-Wendy Li