Ethnic enclave: Vancouver Chinatown - Research Paper Example

?Ethnic enclave: Vancouver Chinatown Ethnic enclaves are found in almost every country1. The enclaves came about as a result of increased immigrationof people that share similar ethnic backgrounds. Essentially, what this means is that an enclave is an area that has a high concentration of people from the same ethnic community and is thus unique from the bigger part of the society that receives immigrants2. The ethnic enclave is characterized by the population’s economic activity and cultural identity, self sufficiency being the pillar for its growth. While there are numerous ethnic enclaves across the United States of America and Canada, this paper will focus on Vancouver’s Chinatown as a case study. The paper will specifically discuss the history, location, and relevance of the enclave. Location Vancouver’s Chinatown is known to be among the largest Chinatown in Canada. The town which is found in British Columbia is surrounded by Strathcona to the east and part of the Financial and Central Business Districts to the west. It also neighbors Downtown Eastside, Gastown and old Japantown. The Chinatown has its center on Pender Street and unofficially extends into Downtown Eastside. According to official records held by the authorities of the City of Vancouver, the town lies between Georgia, Gore, Pender, Hastings, and Taylor Streets in terms of geographic location3. It is noted to be one of the biggest Chinese enclaves in North America. History The different Chinatowns that came into being in Canada were formed as a result of different specific circumstances that surrounded the Chinese populations that migrated thereto4. The formation of the Vancouver Chinese ethic enclave can be traced to the 1860s with the main attractions to Chinese settlement in British Columbia then being coal mining and gold5. The Chinese who migrated to Vancouver and other Chinatowns in Canada between the 1860s and 1880s originated mainly from Guang Dong. They came to Canada from their native land through labor agents and formed enclaves owing to their ignorance of the English language and the dislike of the host society toward them. The Chinese workers often suffered discrimination and physical violence from the largely white society especially at the time when the construction of the railroad was coming to a close in the mid 1880s67. Like many other Chinese enclaves in Canada, the Vancouver Chinatown started as a residential cluster in which Chinese immigrants were temporarily sheltered by their employers as they worked in the mines8. Chinatown then amounted to a limited number of poorly constructed shacks and some stores for the immigrant workers. The government’s policy then also shaped how the Chinese migrated to China. The head taxes that were imposed by the Canadian government between 1885 and 1903 made it virtually impossible for women of Chinese background to move into Canada. Furthermore, the institution of the Exclusion Act of 1923 made it impossible for the Chinese to settle in the country9. Chinatown in Vancouver initially was reputed as an “unhealthy and dangerous part of the city. Originally, it was more of a social construct created by public discourse rather than a physical area in actual existence”10. In fact, as presented by politicians and public opinion, the place largely was associated with negative connotations including crime, filth, otherness, opium dens and mystery. However, these associations slowly changed over time as evidenced in the nineteenth century. Although the place remained notable for its brothels and gambling dens, establishments such as churches and temples sprung into growth in the area. The place earned association with distant husbands and Chinese bachelors even as the immigrants started owning properties especially through organizations. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Chinese immigrants and their children started forming strong associations that were aimed at saving their neighborhoods which were greatly under threat of destruction owing to political pressures11. They also started engaging more actively in forming alliances with influential groups and persons as well as in city politics. Today, Chinatown in Vancouver is a relatively rich neighborhood. Its exotic and foreign appearance adds to its welcome attraction. Importance The Chinatown in Vancouver today is a popular tourist attraction although its popularity has reduced over time owing to the dispersion of Cantonese Chinese to other parts of Vancouver. While this is the case, the place is noted to be among the largest Chinatowns in North America going by historic relevance12. It is today characterized with the growth of new constructions such as the new high-rise towers that are emerging near old Expo 86. Several traditional Chinese restaurants, trendy bars, gardens, and temples established in Chinatown attest to the place’s rich heritage. The authentic Chinese markets that are established in the place also boom with business together with its festivals and parades serve to reclaim it as a historic place and cultural centre. Conclusion Chinatown in Vancouver is one of the major ethnic enclaves in Canada. The place came into establishment in the mid 1800s when Chinese immigrants from Guang Dong came to settle in different parts of British Colombia in response to the gold rush and the establishment of coal mines. Then, the immigrants worked in the mines and lived in shanties and slums. The houses that they lived in then spelled poverty and filth, women often being unwelcome in the settlements. With its rich history, the place has emerged as a rich tourist attraction from a place of filth and poverty. Initially a place for poor immigrants who were often subject to discrimination and violence from their white counterparts, the place today boasts high-rise buildings and a rich background. The place is predominantly occupied by Chinese immigrants and their offspring and is notable for its cultural attractions, mainly the markets, festivals, parades, and Chinese foods. Although noted for its opulence, the Chinatown’s association with brothels and gambling site remains. In spite of these, the place has drastically changed and is reputed for being a site to behold the Chinese culture in its richness. Bibliography Anders Edin, Peter Fredriksson and Olof Aslund. Ethnic Enclaves and the Economic Success of Immigrants—Evidence from a Natural Experiment. The Quarterly Journal of Economics (2003) 118 (1): 329-357. Anderson, Kay. “Cultural Hegemony and the Race Definition Process in Vancouver's Chinatown: 1880-1980 in Environment and Planning D: Society and Space” in Social Geography: A Reader, ed. Hamnett C. Arnold, London,1996. Anderson, Kay. “The idea of Chinatown: the Power of Place and Institutional Practice in the Making of a Racial Category in Annals Association of American Geographers”. In A Daunting Modernity: A Reader in Post-Confederation Canada ed. McKay, I (McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Ontario, 1992. Anderson, Kay. Vancouver's Chinatown: Racial Discourse in Canada, 1875-1980. Montreal and Buffalo, McGill-Queen's University Press, 1991. Zucchi John. A History of Ethnic Enclaves in Canada. Canada’s Ethnic Group Serifs Booklet No. 31. The Canadian Historical Association, Ottawa, 2007. Xxxxxxx Anders Edin, Peter Fredriksson and Olof Aslund. Ethnic Enclaves and the Economic Success of Immigrants—Evidence from a Natural Experiment. The Quarterly Journal of Economics 118 (1): 329-357. (2003). Anderson, Kay. “Cultural Hegemony and the Race Definition Process in Vancouver's Chinatown: 1880-1980 in Environment and Planning D: Society and Space” in Social Geography: A Reader, ed. Hamnett C. Arnold, (London, 1996). Anderson, Kay. “The idea of Chinatown: the Power of Place and Institutional Practice in the Making of a Racial Category in Annals Association of American Geographers”. In A Daunting Modernity: A Reader in Post-Confederation Canada ed. McKay, I (McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Ontario, 1992. Zucchi John. A History of Ethnic Enclaves in Canada. Canada’s Ethnic Group Serifs Booklet No. 31. The Canadian Historical Association, Ottawa, 2007. Anderson, Kay. Vancouver's Chinatown: Racial Discourse in Canada, 1875-1980 (Montreal and Buffalo: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1991). xxxx rder#: 777962 Total Price: $32   Messages:   1 total  Subject: History and Political Science, Research Paper   Topic:  Ethnic enclaves. Chose an area known for its cultural flavor, say, Frankenmuth, Holland, Corktown or comparable location and describe its history, location, and relevance/importance. Be sure to include a succinct historical background. Instructions: You will be assesse on form, grammar, organization, contextual use of quotes (i.e., no more than 6 lines in the entire paper) and research. Ideally you should have a minimum of three references on each page. I will not accept Internet sources with .com, .org, etc. ((USE SHORT QUOTES)) Created:  2012-12-19 20:20  Deadline:   2012-12-20 02:21 Time Left:  5h 22m Style:  Chicago  Language Style:   English (U.S.)  Grade:   n/a  Pages:  4  Sources:   4  Read More