Comparison: Chinatowns of New York
From Decoding New York
| Introduction |
| Manhattan |
| * Evolution |
| * What's Real |
| * Here v. There |
| * Economy |
| Flushing |
| * Evolution |
| * What's Real |
| * Here v. There |
| * Economy |
| Brooklyn 8th Avenue |
| * Evolution |
| * What's Real |
| * Here v. There |
| * Economy |
| Comparison |
| * Photo Gallery |
| * Sources
|
The evolution of New York’s Chinese population and history of Chinese influence has had a lasting impact on the city. In many ways, the development of Chinatown, Flushing and Eighth Avenue has contributed not only to the growth of Chinese immigration, but also the ethnic mix of New York City. Because of these ethnic enclaves, a strong Chinese presence can be felt in the city, and in Flushing and Eighth Avenue multiculturalism lives on. The characters of each neighborhood can be felt when walking down the street, hearing dialects spoken and enjoying what each has to offer.
Chinatown has a long history, welcoming the first Chinese immigrants to New York. Its history can still be seen and felt in the tenement housing, Cantonese culture and strong social networks that make up real life in Chinatown. Chinatown stands apart from Flushing and Eighth Avenue because of its history and attraction for tourists. Chinatown remains a thriving community in part due to the strong tourist economy, which is both a benefit and a detriment to the neighborhood’s identity. Chinatown’s identity owes much to its Cantonese heritage, connecting the Chinatown of now to the Chinatown of old.
Flushing, as a destination for many Chinese immigrants, is more than an ethnic enclave. It is a true microcosm of multiculturalism in New York, with Chinese, Korean, Dominican, non-Hispanic white, black, South Asian and many more ethnicities living and working in the same environment. Flushing is a true success as a multi-ethnic community, and in addition to its multiculturalism manages to maintain a strong Chinese community. Because of the suburban-like atmosphere of Queens, Flushing and its outskirts are desirable areas to raise a family. One- and two- story houses as well as apartment complexes provide space for child rearing, attracting more affluent families that still desire proximity to the ethnic community. Unlike Chinatown, Flushing speaks Mandarin, setting it apart immediately from its rival neighborhood. Flushing has a distinct identity, and is one of the most representative neighborhoods of ethnic New York.
Eighth Avenue, like Flushing, is part of a more multicultural area than Chinatown. Because of its location in Sunset Park, Brooklyn many needs of new immigrants are met – better housing at lower rents, a growing ethnic community, easy access to Chinatown, and the support of recent immigrants to New York. A working class neighborhood, it is distinctly authentic, being allowed to concentrate on serving the needs of the community instead of playing host to thousands of tourists. The non-Cantonese culture of Eighth Avenue plays an interesting part in its role as a satellite Chinatown. Eighth Avenue, an area named for luck and prosperity, holds much in store for New York’s new Chinese immigrant population while still developing an identity.
Commonalities between these three Chinese communities include the importance of language and cultural identity, economic opportunities within the ethnic enclave, and strong cultural pride. Chinatown, Flushing and Eighth Avenue all provide a strong base for immigrants first moving to New York, making new New Yorkers feel at home in a familiar environment while contributing to the multiculturalism of the city.
