Chinatowns across America trace their roots to the country’s gold rush, when Chinese workers built railroads and opened restaurants, laundry businesses and shops. After the repeal of the Exclusion Act in 1943, these formerly bachelor societies became more family-oriented and integrated into American society.
Today, Portland’s Chinese community is mingled in with neighborhood mainstays like the Ground Kontrol arcade bar and legendary drag revue Darcelle XV.
History
As with other immigrants to the United States, Chinese people faced economic hardship and exploitation. They were subjected to racial prejudice and discrimination in the workplace and in society. They were forced to work in exploitative industries such as gold mines, coastal fisheries and railroads. Despite these challenges, Chinese Americans contributed much to American life. They also fought back against anti-Chinese discrimination and promoted civil rights for all American citizens.
In the face of virulent nativism, they built self-sufficient communities that were known to non-Chinese residents as Chinatowns. These neighborhoods provided a place where they could buy familiar food and worship in traditional temples, as well as socialize with other Chinese families. They were often the only place where they could find someone to help translate for them at school or the doctor.
Religion
While the Chinese are overwhelmingly atheist, many have beliefs or engage in practices that have a religious component. Estimates of the share of Chinese who are religious vary widely.
China has a long history of tolerance and tacit support for Buddhism, Daoism, and folk religions. However, these traditions are being increasingly influenced by President Xi Jinping’s sinicization policies and are subject to increased regulation and scrutiny.
Despite Beijing’s efforts, the majority of Chinese believe in combinations of these traditions. According to the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey, 28% of Chinese adults report believing in feng shui, a spiritual practice with Taoist underpinnings. These findings may reflect the blending of different traditions in the Chinese people’s daily life. Many also hold superstitions and traditional qigong exercises.
Language
The Chinese community is comprised of a wide range of dialects and languages, which serve as important tools for cultural identity and heritage preservation. These languages also play a vital role in building and maintaining social cohesion among Chinese communities globally.
The vastness of China’s landscape often separated communities and allowed their spoken languages to evolve independently. Historically, political turmoil and war accelerated this process and led to the formation of distinct dialects such as Hakka.
As a result, Chinese community language schools offer more than just Mandarin and Cantonese classes. Often, teachers are volunteers who are native speakers of the dialect they teach, providing learners with a more authentic and holistic learning experience. These programs also incorporate cultural events and field trips to help students connect with their cultural roots.
Food
When Chinese people emigrated to America, they brought their cuisine with them. Despite racial discrimination, they opened restaurants and laundries and began introducing New Yorkers to their delicious food.
Chinese culture places high importance on balanced meals that emphasize yin and yang. Usually, meals include grains, vegetables and meats. In addition, Chinese drink tea or a fruit juice.
Some traditional foods are believed to have therapeutic properties. For example, shark fin soup is thought to strengthen the heart and lungs; dehydrated tiger testicles increase stamina; and monkey brains enhance wisdom. In China, a meal isn’t complete without the right condiments and side dishes. Family members often eat together at the dinner table, and some traditions involve a certain order of eating. For example, the elderly or children are served first, followed by the father and mother.
Culture
Chinese culture is based on the values of harmony, rationality and propriety. Harmony represents a balance between different aspects of society and nature; rationality stresses acting according to objective laws and truths; and propriety entails conducting oneself in an appropriate manner.
The Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year, takes place in mid-January to mid-February and is a time for honoring ancestors. It is celebrated with parades, fireworks and eating traditional foods like dumplings and tangyuan.
Ethnic enclaves of Chinese people throughout the world, called Chinatowns, vary in their degree of cultural assimilation and relationships with surrounding communities. Those with a strong sense of Chinese identity often adopt local languages and customs. Chinese emigrants in Southeast Asia, such as those of Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore with large Peranakan communities, are known for maintaining a distinct culture.