The Chinese community is very diverse depending on country of origin. Although people with Chinese ancestry are considered to be of the Han ethnic group they can differ in their beliefs, language and daily practices.
In the United States, Chinatowns serve as a hub for cultural resources for Chinese immigrants. Access to these resources has been shown to positively impact their health and well-being (9).
Chinatowns
In early Chinatowns, crowded wooden and brick houses teemed with family associations and businesses. These benevolent societies (or tangs) were often established based on the Chinese surname, language, dialect, village, region or country of origin, and they provided vital social support, financial assistance in times of need, death benefits (members names were enshrined on tablets), meals, recreational activities and cultural gatherings for the community.
These tightly-knit communities helped residents survive racial segregation and a lack of economic opportunities. Many Chinatowns also struggled with organized crime, but district associations fought, usually successfully, to keep these communities free of serious gang activity.
Today, Chinatowns across the nation remain essential to the Chinese American community. Despite natural shifts in their demographic and challenges caused by gentrification, they are still places where small mom-and-pop businesses, restaurants, cultural organizations and housing for the elderly can be found. They are also sites of vibrant community activism, as evidenced by murals like Corky Lee’s depicting a police brutality that ignited a protest in New York City.
Chinese Americans
4.7 million Chinese Americans, or about 19% of the total Asian American population, live in the United States. They mainly reside in California and New York.
Throughout their history in America, Chinese Americans have dealt with racism and discrimination. At first, they were looked down upon by many Americans as “cheaters” and laborers who stole work from them. However, with time, their attitudes changed and they began to show that they were fully capable of becoming Americans. World War II was a major turning point, as many Chinese soldiers were praised for their contributions to the victory of the Allied forces.
Today, there are many Chinese Americans who have made their mark in the country’s culture and business sector. They are well-educated, with many holding advanced degrees from prestigious universities. They also participate in a variety of civic activities, such as voter registration and community activism. Many are also involved in cultural preservation and are members of various organizations, such as the Committee of 100.
Chinese Culture
Chinese culture is a rich and varied one that incorporates influences from a number of different countries. Many aspects of Chinese culture are tied to the idea of family and community. Chinese people are generally viewed as part of a group rather than as an individual, and they must abide by group rules in order to be accepted. This is known as guanxi.
Because of this, family is the foundation of Chinese culture. Children are expected to care for their elderly parents, and filial piety is highly respected. The Chinese place great importance on their families and spend most of their free time with them.
The country has 56 officially recognized ethnic groups, but the majority is Han. While some Chinese groups have assimilated into other cultures through intermarriage or assimilation, others still identify themselves as being Chinese.
Chinese Religion
According to Chinese government estimates, less than ten percent of China’s population is religiously active. However, many people follow traditional folk religions. These believers, along with members of underground house churches and banned groups, account for the majority of China’s unregistered followers. Under Xi’s rule, the CCP has intensified efforts to sinicize religion, or shape all faiths to align with the party’s ideology and doctrine.
Ancestor worship is a significant component of Chinese religion, with rites including fasting and offering food to deceased ancestors. Other common practices include reciting prayers and wishing on ancestral graves.
The belief in immortals is also widespread among Chinese. These spirits are believed to protect their devotees and provide them with spiritual benefits. These beliefs are part of the panentheism system that dates back to the Shang dynasty and predates Confucianism and Taoism. They are centered on the idea that there is a supreme deity known as Heaven, or Shennong, or Huang Di (Sagely Heaven, Emperor Above). This divinity has both monotheistic and polytheistic features, in that it is an omnipotent force endowed with personality but no corporeal form.