The Chinese community is one of the largest ethnic communities in America. Its success in overcoming harsh conditions depends on social autonomy and cultural autonomy.
In the past, many Chinese gathered in teeming neighborhoods known as Chinatowns in cities around the world. These confined, often segregated neighborhoods provided support and a sense of family and familiarity.
Cultural traditions
Throughout history, Chinese have valued the virtues of family ties, honesty, wisdom and self-discipline. These values are expressed through the core concept of benevolence (jiahe wanshi xing).
Early on in China’s history, emperors were revered as representatives of Heaven and therefore enjoyed the utmost respect, sometimes bordering on worship, especially when they were helping with wars, harvests, natural disasters and the succession of dynasties. This was the Mandate of Heaven principle.
Chinese also venerate their ancestors and many still offer food and spiritual money to them, especially on select days such as the Hungry Ghost Festival and the Qingming Festival. They might also keep small idols or shrines of historical figures such as successful generals in their houses and businesses. The Chinese community in Victoria is very active, particularly with cultural events and social activities. They are primarily located in Melbourne’s southeast and eastern suburbs. They are a large business group in the region, mainly owning Chinese restaurants and other commercial businesses.
Languages
Throughout the waxing and waning of various Chinese dynasties, regional differences in customs often led to differences in spoken language. These regional languages have enriched the country’s linguistic diversity and form an important part of cultural identity.
For example, Cantonese is associated with Hong Kong and Chinatown, while Hokkien is more commonly used in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Speaking a certain dialect can signify belonging to a particular community or region, and may even reveal cultural background and beliefs.
Some of these specialized forms of literacy have been under siege in recent years. For instance, religious literacy is important for many Asians, especially since many traditional religious practices have been under attack in the People’s Republic of China. Religiously literate Chinese may therefore have a heightened awareness of their own unique beliefs and traditions. This is also true of musical literacy, numeracy and other literacies in specialized areas.
Religion
It is important to note that although most Chinese people identify as unaffiliated with religion, a great number of them practice beliefs and rituals rooted in traditional Chinese philosophies. These philosophies are not typically viewed as religions and, therefore, are not officially recognized by the government as such. Yet, they play a critical role in shaping many Chinese beliefs and behaviors.
A growing share of China’s urban middle class rejects officially sanctioned religious institutions and ideology, seeking alternatives considered less tainted by party-state interference. This has helped fuel the rise of independent Christian churches, Tibetan Buddhist teachers and New Age workshops that draw affluent urbanites seeking spiritual comfort and community.
Most Chinese engage in beliefs and practices that span several religious traditions. For example, many people visit gravesites to perform rituals that ostensibly help their ancestors in another realm. These observances are often a combination of Buddhism, Daoism and traditional qigong exercise. Similarly, some Chinese use prayers rooted in Confucianism to ask for good grades on school exams.
Migration
As a result of both internal and international migration, Chinese communities exist in a broad range of global locations. This global distribution reflects continuities with past patterns as well as newer trends that involve more complex forms of movement.
Early economic migrants often established a network of overseas communities that linked them to their origins in China. These networks were primarily based on men, who migrated to earn money and then returned to their families in order to carry on the family line.
These communities often developed within confined and segregated neighborhoods known as Chinatowns. Although repressed by racism and stereotyping, these groups were resilient and worked to preserve their cultural heritage.
Today, many Chinese are drawn to the United States because of its large and long-established community. Hai came to America in 2008 to study at the University of Alabama. After two years she moved to California, where she now lives with her parents. The size of the American Chinese community was a major factor in her decision to move permanently.