Despite discrimination, Chinese immigrants formed community organizations and maintained many cultural practices. Clan associations, groups of people who shared a common name or ancestry, served as mutual-aid societies and provided social support and help to the elderly.
Today, Chinese communities can be found in big cities across the United States. They are also well established in Latin America, where they run successful business clusters.
Chinatowns
Chinatowns are an important symbol of community resilience. They are home to a wide range of small mom-and-pop businesses and have become places where Chinese Americans explore their heritage and identity. However, they face many threats, such as gentrification and development pressures.
Ethnic Chinese enclaves began forming in the United States in the mid-1800s as men sought their fortunes during the California Gold Rush or labored on the Transcontinental Railroad. They needed sleeping quarters, laundry services, and restaurants, which led to the proliferation of neighborhoods adorned with Asian motifs and architecture.
These Chinatowns grew in size and importance, and were often the center of social and family associations such as huiguan, which were based on regional districts or clans and provided services for migrants. Today, many of these organizations still exist and serve a vital role in supporting local Chinatowns through fundraising for New Year parades and festivities, offering genealogy support, and providing community services.
Chinese Americans
Chinese Americans have contributed to American society through their labor, business, culture and civic contributions. They represent a variety of economic and social backgrounds. They may be found in Chinatowns and other urban areas, suburban communities and in rural towns.
Before immigration reforms in the 1960s, Chinese immigrants built vibrant communities of mutual aid (domestic and international), robust religious and civic institutions, and family associations. Women, in particular, played a prominent role in these communities.
Today, most Chinese Americans live in California and New York, which are home to half of the nation’s Chinese population. Their median household income is higher than that of the national average. Many have ascended to professional occupations in the mainstream economy through educational achievement. In contrast to the old immigrant families that saw America as a place to build wealth for return to China, most contemporary Chinese American families consider it their permanent home. However, upward mobility is more difficult than in the past because there are fewer middle rungs on the ladder.
Chinese Festivals
Authentic Chinese festivals weave together history, tradition, and community spirit. The vibrant festival economy has grown to include everything from traditional food, crafts, and games to dazzling fireworks shows and spectacular dragon boat races.
The biggest Chinese celebration is the Lunar New Year, also called the Spring Festival. It’s a 15-day event that starts with the first day of the lunar new year, which occurs between January and February on Western calendars. During the holiday, families have reunion dinners and hang red paper-cut couplets on doors and windows. People also give money in red envelopes to children and others.
The Double Ninth Festival honors Qu Yuan, a patriot poet during the warring states period who died by throwing himself in the Miluo River after learning that his state Chu had been conquered. The festival also includes dragon boat racing and eating zongzi, glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in reed leaves.
Ethnic Identity
In a country like China, ethnic identity has a close relationship with national identification. Chinese culture advocates “harmony in differences” and is good at balancing ethnocultural inheritance with national integration. Compared to the Western idea of competition and treating different cultural groups as objects that need to be conquered, China’s idea is more based on integration and reliance upon cooperation.
Furthermore, it has a strong influence from traditional cultural values and traditions. These factors help to maintain a high level of national cohesion and social unity.
In contrast to the fearmongering and erasure policies being trialed against Uyghurs and Tibetans, it is clear that the key to a cohesive nation is not to suppress their identities but to treat them as equal citizens with full rights and equality of opportunity. This would be an effective way to strengthen the bond of Chinese identity. Ethnic identity is a multifaceted construct, and it is important to examine how it evolves over time.