Chinatowns were created as a result of anti-Chinese racism. Chinese immigrants congregated into communities for both protection from intense attacks from white laborers and cultural familiarity. The first Chinatowns appeared on the West coast. At its peak, there were dozens “ghettos” in large metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York, as well as smaller cities.
“The crack of the pistol last night had a far more ominous sound to the police than the report of a murderer’s revolver. It convinced them of the correctness of their suspicions, held for the past week, that another war of the tongs, or Chinese highbinders, has commenced and once started there is no telling where these feuds will end. For several weeks the tongs all over Chinatown have been playing war music in their rooms, and while the shrill, saw-like sound of the Chinese fiddle and the squeak of the Chinese clarinet are common sounds in the Mongolian quarter, those familiar with Chinatown and Chinese ways know that when the music continues until late in the night . . . some lodge of tongs is at work offering sacrifices to the god of war and preparing to wreak vengeance upon its enemies.” |
My grandfather loved living in San Francisco Chinatown. Because he liked going out with his friends. There were restaurants. And his favorite, favorite activity was going to the opera. And there were three opera houses. Three opera houses to choose from."
-Connie Young Yu, Historian
For all its rich history, Chinatown was, and is, a poor, overcrowded place. People leave it when they can. But at the same time, the older generations gave us something invaluable. I climbed on the shoulders of my elders to get where I am today. They created opportunities for their children and made things better for the next generation. I think in a land of immigrants, that's something we can all relate to.
-Felicia Lowe, Producer and Director