Fuzhounese & Cantonese
The Fuzhounese Influx into Chinatown
Cantonese speakers have served as the largest Chinese group in Chinatown. However, over the recent years, the Fuzhounese group from the southeastern province of Fujian has been immigrating into the neighborhood. The towns of Fujian are home to large business markets that are known for illegal Chinese immigration into America. The markets offer the Fuzhounese groups job opportunities in America in exchange for an expensive fee to get them in. Although the journey is difficult, many immigrants still choose to move in hope to make a better living. The Fuzhounese immigrants have moved into the area and set up their own stores and restaurants towards the eastern side of Chinatown.
This recent influx of the Fuzhounese has created some hostility between them and the Cantonese groups mainly due to the different regional dialects. Additionally, the Fuzhounese are new immigrants that have a lower economic status and less education than the Cantonese residents. The Fuzhounese groups have been moving into the area in search of cheap housing and job opportunities. Nonetheless, since the young White community is also hoping for Chinatown to serve as their home, the rents have increased to serve the community who is willing to pay more. As a result, the Fuzhounese immigrants often reside in the older apartment buildings with single room housing. Due to the reconstruction of older apartments and increase in rents, it is difficult for recent Fuzhounese immigrants to find a home. Many are moving into neighborhoods such as Sunset Park, Brooklyn and Flushing, Queens because of the rise in Chinese population and direct transportation to Chinatown.
What about the Cantonese?
Being Chinatown’s early inhabitants, many Cantonese speakers have established themselves and prospered in the area. Thus, after learning English and succeeding in their businesses, they want to buy a home and Chinatown does not offer suitable family houses. In the Chinese culture, it is important to establish one’s own identity and buying a house plays a big part of that identity. The area only has small apartments that are not fit for middle or upper middle class families. Thus, many Cantonese are moving into Bensonhurst, Brooklyn and parts of Flushing, Queens.
Sources:
Guest, Kenneth J. “From Mott Street to East Broadway: Fuzhounese Immigrants and the Revitalization of New York’s Chinatown.” Journal of Chinese Overseas 44th ser. 7.24 (2011): 24-44. Web. 12 May 2014.
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