And in Atlanta, Georgia, a nondescript strip mall has become an oasis for Asian Americans in the South. In Detroit, Michigan, a Chinatown that all but disappeared is now being pieced back together by artists and activists. In Butte, Montana, generations of restaurant owners and shop keepers work tirelessly to preserve their family legacies, even when the Chinese American population in the town is on a decline. Some of these early Chinatowns have completely vanished, while others still show subtle reminders of their past: a derelict paifang gate left standing, faded Chinese characters on abandoned buildings. Most, however, experienced a natural decline in population after the slowdown of their respective labor industries, including mining and railroad construction. Many were forced to relocate or were destroyed by acts of arson. Countless other Chinatowns, however, did not survive. Several prominent, urban Chinatowns that formed in the 1880s continue to evolve and thrive today, the most notable being the Chinatown in Manhattan, New York, which holds the distinction of being the largest in the country, and the Chinatown in San Francisco, California, which is thought to be the oldest. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |