June 3, 2009 by Chinatown Blogger.

The Chinatown Blogger just read this May 22, 2009 article written by Stephanie Fan and the Chinese Historical Society of New England (CHSNE) and published on the SAMPAN’s website. The article poses the question: “Why did the Chinese stay in Chinatown?” Many different European immigrant groups lived in the South Cove area along with Chinese immigrants, but why did the Chinese stay? These were the important points Fan and the Historical Society made:

- Due to restrictive immigration laws, Chinese immigrants were not allowed to bring their families over and Chinatown became a bachelor society. Fan argues that because of the bachelor society, the Chinatown community was needed to act as the family unit.
- Discrimination played a factor in preventing the Chinese from owning property outside of Chinatown.
- Immigration laws were relaxed in 1965 and more families eventually came to the U.S. But by then, the Chinatown community had been firmly established.

Check out the article at the SAMPAN’s website.

Posted in WORD ON THE STREET | Print | No Comments »

June 3, 2009 by Chinatown Blogger.

While in the Bay Area, had the opportunity to visit both San Francisco and Oakland Chinatown. Here are some photos:

Posted in CHINATOWN IN PHOTOS | Print | No Comments »

June 1, 2009 by Chinatown Blogger.

ENVISIONING DIASPORA:
ASIAN AMERICAN VISUAL ARTS COLLECTIVES
BOOK TALK AND Q&A WITH AUTHOR ALEXANDRA CHANG

SATURDAY
JUNE 6, 2009
1:00 - 2:30 PM
Boston Chinatown
Neighborhood Center
38 Ash Street
Boston, MA

FREE to the public.
Phone: 617-635-5129
Email: giles.li@bcnc.net
RSVP online, visit the facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/event.php?eid=93369898784&ref=share
Download: Envisioning Diaspora PDF Flyer

In Envisioning Diaspora: Asian American Visual Arts Collectives (Timezone 8 Limited
and project partner Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU) Alexandra Chang investigates
“Asian American Art” through the formation, membership and artwork of three important
post-’90s Asian American artist collectives: Godzilla: Asian American Art Network,
Godzookie and the Barnstormers. We see how the term began as an outgrowth of the
late ’60s civil rights movement, to its integration into mainstream multicultural discourse
and its legacy today. Envisioning Diaspora peers into the nuances of artist collective
formations and communities of affinity, and ultimately the core issues of identity politics,
aesthetics and diaspora involved in Asian American Art.

Alexandra Chang is the Director of Public Programs & Research Manager at the Asian/Pacific/
American Institute research center at NYU. She has curated exhibitions and written on
contemporary art, graffiti, design and architecture, including co-curating the current exhibition
“Art, Archives, and Activism: Martin Wong?s Downtown Crossings” at the 7th Floor Gallery at NYU
(Through Dec. 2009). She has served as the Managing Editor for Art Asia Pacific magazine and
Features Editor for amNew York.

Posted in CHINATOWN CALENDAR | Print | No Comments »

June 1, 2009 by Chinatown Blogger.

More photos of San Francisco Chinatown from a recent trip to the Bay Area.

Posted in CHINATOWN IN PHOTOS | Print | No Comments »