Chinatowns und die chinesische Minorität in Nordamerika

Abstract

The distribution of the Chinese population in North America had been characterized by an extreme concentration in a few states and cities up to about 1950. The most outstanding feature of this distribution has been the well-known, but little studied China towns. The characteristics and prominent features of traditional Chinatowns are chiefly viewed with reference to nine different aspects: (1) the overall cultural and ethnic contrast to the majority; (2) official and unofficial discrimination; (3) the relatively early immigration, which was soon stopped; (4) the relatively homogeneous region of origin and the resulting overlapping identification networks; (5) the extreme predominance of males; (6) the continuing affiliation to place of origin, i.e. preservation of the mother tongue, the writing system and a traditional way of living; (7) the occupational structure with a predominance of lower service jobs; (8) the extraordinary internal cohesion promoted by the existence of specific organisations; (9) the permanent ethnic segregation in a specific area. As late as1965, Chinatowns in North America were predicted to decrease in size or even to disappear. As a result of recent immigration laws (USA 1965/68, Canada 1967), which were primarily taken advantage of by the Chinese, the ethnic group has increased dramatically. The influences of this development of traditional Chinatowns are analysed for San Francisco, New York, Toronto, Boston and Los Angeles. Spatial processes are not uniform. Due to the population increase in Chinatowns, there are spatial expansion, dispersion, relocation and the development of new concentrations. However, traditional Chinatowns are the focus of most of these developments. Today's core areas as residential areas are of differing importance. Serious city planning problems are caused by the demand for low income housing, the existence of delapidated buildings - and the expansion of neighbouring CBDs. The characteristics and prominent features of today's China towns are listed. Considerable changes have occurred for all of the above-mentioned aspects. Nevertheless, the 'permanent ghettos' have not changed into 'assimilition ghettos'. In addition to the factors already listed, present-day spatial behaviour of the Chinese in North America can be said to reflect an increased tolerance of the majority, as well as an increased awareness of ethnic self-confidence among the Chinese minority.