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The New Chinatown Monologues

From The Peopling of NYC

1 An Introduction
2 Ethnic Enclave
3 Assimilation
4 Model Minority
- 4.1 A. Politics and Community Services
5 The Original Chinatown Monologues
6 Interviews
7 Experiences
8 More Information
- 8.1 The West Coast
- 8.2 Miscellanious
9 About

An Introduction

Living in a city that never sleeps, New Yorkers often forget about the long and rich history of their home. Only by learning from the past can we begin look toward the future.

Chinese immigration brought immense changes to the city landscape. This Wiki attempts to chronicle the face of Chinese immigration by delving into the myth of the model minority, the ethnic enclave(s) of Chinatown, and the assimilation of the Chinese into mainstream American society.

Ethnic Enclave

Manhattan's Chinatown serves as a transition from Chinese society to American society. An area rich with social services and community support for Chinese immigrants, Chinatown is a safe and familiar haven for those Chinese who find themselves in a foreign country.

A. History of Immigration

Chinese immigration to American shores came in waves, spanning over 150 years, and a geographical distance of over 7,000 miles.

The First Wave
The Second Wave

B. Life and Work in Chinatown

Chinatown has been a safe haven, a work environment, and overall an ethnic enclave for the generations of immigrants in New York City for well over a century now. This section aims to explore the relationships within Chinatown, between the different waves of Chinese immigrants. It also explores Chinatown as a workplace and as a living environment.

Explore

C. Other Chinatowns

The Spread of Chinatowns

In the 1880s, due to increasing discrimination and violence against the Chinese for supposedly "stealing American jobs," Chinese immigrants moved from the West Coast to the East Coast. They settled in large cities where there were more employment opportunities and where they could easily blend in with the diverse population. One of these cities was New York City where the original Chinatown in Manhattan expanded to Flushing, Queens and Sunset Part, Brooklyn.

Flushing, Queens
Sunset Park, Brooklyn

Assimilation

A. Generation Gaps

This section explores the growing cultural gap between first generation Chinese immigrants (Chinese-born Americans - CBAs) and second generation immigrants (American-born Chinese - ABCs). It also delves into the reasons for the expansion of the gap as well as the impact of American culture on the growth of Chinese culture in America and the American-born Chinese who are forced to choose between two diverse lifestyles.

ABC and CBA

B. Religion

The Ying Yang symbol, a central figure in Taoism

Chinatown is by no means a homogenous area when it comes to religion, it contains many religious institutions that represent a number of different traditions. The leading religious institutions in the enclave are Buddhism, Taoism, and various demoninations of Christianity, including both Catholics and Protestants.

Buddhism
Taoism
Christianity

C. The Fuzhounese Experience

The Fuzhounese make up the bulk of the newest wave in immigration from China. Their experience differs greatly from that of their predecessors.

Explore why here

D. Outside Voices

"The Chinese Problem" - "Every Dog (No Distinction of Color) Has His Day" - "Red Gentleman to Yellow: Pale Face 'Fraid You Crowd Him Out As He Did Me"

"Another Field of American Industry Invaded by the Chinese" - "No more Washee! Playee Base-ballee! Sellee out Game, allee same Melican man!"

Political Cartoons Anti-Chinese Political Cartoons: United States 1850-1925 - Far from being considered a "model minority," when the first waves of Chinese immigration came to the West Coast in the 1840s, they were feared for their work ethic and compared with African-Americans and Native Americans.

Intolerance, Legislative Harassment, and Exclusion: Chinese immigrants endured a wave of violent racist attacks during their first few decades in the United States. All across the country, especially in areas such as Seattle, Los Angeles, and small towns in Wyoming, the Chinese were forced to withstand a movement of murder and persecution against them...

Model Minority

A. Politics and Community Services

Dragon Dance

Chinese Americans have made great progress advancing their political interests while still preserving an unique cultural identity, which is largely preserved by the Chinatowns located in all major U.S. cities.

Political Activities
Community Organizations
Cultural Preservation