Chinatown

1155 Words3 Pages

Chinatown

Before the 1960s, the era of the Civil Rights Movement and People of Color Movements, ethnic towns were formed due to the anti-ethnic legislation, which forced many people of color to live in certain areas of the city. After the relaxation of some anti-ethnic legislation, especially in residential segregation, these ethnic towns changed. No longer are these ethnic groups forced to live in segregated areas due to legislation, but rather because of economic and cultural survival due to the resources that are found in these ethnic towns. Chinatown, Korea town, and Thai town are ethnic enclaves that formed due to this process.

Pilipinos themselves had their own enclave during those days also. During the 1920s and 1930s, "Little Manilas, " a more common term, dotted the cities like Seattle (along King Street), Stockton (along El Dorado Street), San Francisco (along Kearny Street), and Los Angeles (along Temple Street). Overt racism in housing evident in the segregation of residential patterns as well as a yearning to be with one’s own kababayan (which means companion/friend), caused these areas to exist. However, due to racist immigration laws that prohibited the Manongs to procreate along with other socioeconomic factors, these "Little Manilas" faded away either by forced gentrification by the city or its history being forgotten.

There are several reasons for this lack of necessity of an ethnic enclave for Pilipino Americans. First, Pilipinos who immigrate to the United States are very acquainted with American society due to the U.S. occupation of the motherland. Hence, they are more susceptible to assimilation than many other ethnic groups. As a result, they did not have the need to create their own institution...

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...hat I can to ensure a bright future for Historic Pilipino Town and the Little Manilas that may appear here and there. Being young and of the “next” generation, I would love to be able to visit this town thirty years from now and tell my children, “I remember the day this whole place was recognized. It’s still as beautiful as ever.”

References

Brainard, C., Litton, E. (1999). Reflections on the Centennial of Philippine Independence. San Francisco: Philippine American Woman Writers and Artists (PAWWA).

Macatuno, E. (2002, October). Our Town. Filipinas Magazine, 71-72

Mosqueda, K. (2002, August 3). Dream now a Reality. Retrieved October 2, 2002 from

www.balita.com.

Personal Interview. Susan Maquindang. October 1, 2002

Trinidad, E. (2002, August). City of Los Angeles dedicated Historic Filipinotown. Retrieved October 2, 2002 from www.Fasgi.org/news.

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