In “Chinese: Divergent Destinies in Immigrant New York,” Min Zhou gives a detailed depiction and analysis of the Chinese in their immigrant enclaves. He addresses a broad scope of matters, ranging from spatial, societal, and economic issues, that pertain especially to the Chinese settlement and development.
The Chinese first began to flock to America in search of gold, hoping to strike it rich and consequently return home to their family in China. Most were unsuccessful in doing so and therefore had to remain here. Over time, they engaged themselves in the workforce through a variety of jobs, such as railroad construction and mining. Their role in the economy soon proved quite important in two different respects. The Chinese supported their fellow immigrants by running informal businesses in their enclaves, such as garment business, laundromats, and supermarkets. They also bolstered the global market by involving themselves in high skilled and formal jobs. Interestingly, the types of jobs that were most or least popular depended on the Chinese enclave.
The area where the Chinese immigrants lived was an important factor in their development and lifestyle. Early on, the Chinese lived exclusively in California. Over time, some moved to New York. The Chinese population in California differed from that in New York because the former was less condensed than the latter. Zhou specifically focuses on three main Chinatown areas: Old Chinatown in Manhattan, Flushing, and Sunset Park. Each is culturally distinct from the one another. Old Chinatown is marked by low education and income; Flushing exudes ethnic diversity and the Chinese there are better off socioeconomically; Sunset Park is a working class neighborhood with an ethnic economy that does not provide much social mobility. Zhou argues that while each place is a Chinatown, each has its own unique characteristics. The inhabitants speak the same language, yet they in fact speak Chinese dialects that are mutually intelligible due to the fact that people originate from different villages and Asian countries.
An important point that Zhou tries to focus on throughout the piece is that while these Chinese immigrants are attempting to achieve successful destinies, their progress is often hindered by societal constraints. Chinatown initially started off as a predominantly bachelor neighborhood because few women were allowed to emigrate from China. In fact, they were not allowed to become naturalized citizens. Whether they integrated themselves in the global economy by working with Americans or lived separately in their own enclaves, the Chinese were vulnerable to incessant discrimination and exclusion. Such marginalization was clear even on a federal level, for Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act that virtually barred any Chinese from immigration to the United States. While the Immigration and Nationality Act greatly expanded the Chinese population in America, they were already set in their lifestyle and continued to maintain Chinatowns in areas in which they comprised a large presence.
Zhou does an excellent job of emphasizing the fact that since their arrival in America, there have been many changes in the Chinese community, both in terms of the actual neighborhood and the inhabitants. While they all came from the same continent, over time their goals and destinies have diverged. Some places have shortcomings while others have impressive strengths. They have a broad culture, evident especially in the different occupations, which spans the area of Old Chinatown, Flushing, and Sunset Park. Before reading this piece, I grouped all Chinese communities in New York under one category. Now I realize how distinct each one is and how their development over the years has molded them into the ever-changing communities that they are today.
