The Chinese community has maintained distinct linguistic and regional cultural traditions throughout history. Many of these are now in danger of being lost.
Generally, the Chinese population has higher levels of education than other foreign and native-born populations. In 2021, 52 percent of Chinese immigrant adults ages 25 and over held at least a bachelor’s degree, and they were twice as likely to have a graduate or professional degree.
Origins
In the face of hardship and legal exclusion, Chinese immigrants built self-reliant communities that came to be known as Chinatowns. They formed associations based on surname, language and village connections to form family groups (Locke town). These families worked together in a variety of jobs—as cooks and house servants for affluent families; ran restaurants, laundries and ginseng businesses; operated small shops and stores; and cultivated gardens.
In addition, they fought to preserve their cultural and religious traditions. They celebrated traditional holidays, and even supported Dr. Sun Yat-sen on his worldwide tour to build support for his revolution in China.
After World War II, the repeal of the Exclusion Act and the McCarran-Walter Act, which lifted national origin quotas, led to an increased flow of new Chinese migrants. As the number of Chinese grew, the community slowly changed from an exclusively bachelor society to one with more children and wives. They also developed their own cultural, social and business organizations.
Emigration
During the nineteenth century, many Chinese moved overseas to find work. From 1853 to the end of the century, 18,000 Chinese were brought as indentured workers to the British West Indies (including British Guiana, Trinidad and Jamaica). Their descendants are found among current populations of these countries and among migrant communities with Anglo-Caribbean origins living in the United States and Canada.
Other Chinese migrated to South America as well, particularly during the Opium Wars and in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution. The influx of Chinese to North America increased after World War II when changes in immigration policy removed Chinese exclusion laws and allowed family members to reunite.
Most of the early immigrants were from southern China, especially Guangdong province, and many settled in California and New York. Some worked as merchants selling cigars, opium and other goods or as laborers on construction projects. Common law, equity and bankruptcy case files often contain information on the operations of these businesses.
Chinatowns
Chinatowns have been and continue to be cultural homes for a city’s Chinese community. In addition to restaurants and shops, many Chinatowns host dance groups, music ensembles, arts and cultural organizations and other institutions. These support the Chinese community and help combat anti-Asian xenophobia and hatred.
In addition, a variety of social and district or family organizations, or tongs, formed around Chinatowns to serve the needs of residents. They offered legal services, housing and job opportunities. These were men-only organizations because the wives and children of Chinese immigrants often stayed behind in their home country, where it was safer for them.
Although mainly born out of racial exclusion and self-protection, Chinatowns became places for the Chinese to connect with their heritage. They also served as tourist traps for white people. Today, with anti-Asian hate crimes on the rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinatowns are still important for Chinese Americans as sanctuaries. They are a place for them to meet other Chinese people, drink tea and discuss the latest news of their homeland and America.
Family life
In Chinese culture the family is extremely important. Parents and children live for one another and the interest of the family supersedes that of the individual. This is why family members often sacrifice their personal interests, including the pursuit of wealth, to support the needs of the family.
In addition to their commitment to their families, most Chinese people are also deeply loyal to the nation. This was evident during the revolutionary war when mothers encouraged their sons to fight against Japanese invaders and wives sent their husbands off to battle in far away places.
Nowadays, the emphasis on family is less pronounced as the modern Chinese community embraces individualism and freedom of mate choice. However, the importance of maintaining family bloodlines and filial piety remains strong as evidenced by the fact that many elderly Chinese still require their adult children to care for them. This is in stark contrast to the western culture where parents and adult children rarely disappoint their elders.