The Cultural Identity of Chinese Americans - Essay Example

The Cultural Identity of Chinese Americans Chinese Americans are the American society of Chinese origin, which can be divided into a group of Chinese immigrants, as well as a subgroup of Asian Americans. In general, Chinese Americans are immigrants from China and other countries that are known for their prevalence of the Chinese Diaspora. It is believed that Chinese society that living in America is the largest foreign community outside Asia. This essay describes the cultural identity of Chinese Americans, which includes aspects such as self-perception of their nationality, social status in the society, terrain and other factors. Ethnic identity involves the creation of new forms of group identity because of some specific circumstances. For example, it happens because of demographic change or conflict with other groups. Newly formed ethnic identity is based on the unity of the group and the similarity of knowledge and experience. Some believed that the identity of Chinese Americans is a great example for the consideration of ethnic identity. (Le C.N., 2001) The Chinese were the first people who began to immigrate to the United States of America. The reason for this was the gold rush in California in the mid-19th century. Already in the late 1880s the workers, mostly men, began to immigrate to the United States. Most people came to the US with minimal education and with little money, without any specific skills and experience. Such causes forced the migrants to take up low-paid work and settle in degraded neighborhoods of American cities. Unfortunately, such relocation has been limited with anti-Chinese laws. But for the past four decades, the Chinese Diaspora in America includes a large number of educated and professional people. Today, Asian Americans make up 23% of the total US population. (Pew Research Center, 2010) Chinese Americans continue to settle in the West of America, as well as in urban areas. Due to historical fact, only 40% of all Chinese Americans is on the territory of the State of California (about 1.1 million). 16% of immigrants occupy an area of ​​New York, and 6% are located in Hawaii. According to historical records, such as the states of New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts and Texas received less Chinese immigrants, however they are known to the phenomenal increase in the number of immigrants from China. Among the most densely populated cities in America the major number of Chinese Americans is in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. However, today, new Chinese immigrants are increasingly trying to settle in the suburbs than in the inner cities of America. This is due to the fact that in recent years such resettlement increased levels of anti-immigrant views and concerns of ethnic nationalist invasion. (Min, Z., 2003) Despite some of the negative nationalist and ethnic views of Americans and there is still a problem of discrimination, the Chinese people, who living in America, is considered successful in the high achievements in school and career. Almost all adult Chinese immigrants educated and highly skilled professionals, as well as owners of small businesses. They have their own traditions and life views, thanks to which there have been some changes in the lives of Americans and the American state as a whole. The Chinese have developed for themselves a certain tactics, which included the patience to difficulties and discrimination. They adhere to a modest lifestyle, which includes compliance with Chinese traditions and customs with their families and district associations. Chinese Americans also joined the social organizations that represented the collective interests of its members and help in obtaining comfort, jobs and housing. Such organizations opened schools and churches, and organized cultural events. They had their offices in Chinese regions, which gave to participants an opportunity to move from one city to another. Undoubtedly, the organization left a noticeable mark in Chinese America. Lets look at some Chinese introduction into American life. During the 18-19th centuries, Chinese tea was one of the most popular drinks in America. Since the middle of the 20th century, Chinese food has become an integral part of the American supply. Chinese restaurants are common throughout the United States. They are both in small and large cities. Also, the majority of Chinese Americans wear the traditional Chinese clothing that is suitable for special occasions. This phenomenon can be seen on the wedding day, when the bride replaces her western wedding dress for the ceremony on the Chinese wedding dress for the banquet. As for the holidays, most Chinese Americans observe major holidays of the Chinese lunar calendar. In those days, family members gather together to celebrate the triumph. The most important Chinese holiday is New Year or Spring Festival, which is a school day vacation in San Francisco. The most precarious health of Chinese Americans was in the 20th century, especially in wartime. Discrimination and the pre-war housing was the main reason for closing the access of medicine and other services to Chinese Americans. Most people relied on traditional Chinese herbal medicine. To date, Chinese and Western medicine are a priority. However, some use only Western medicine, and some only Chinese. By Western standards, some Chinese Americans can be described as non-religious. However, this is not a strong argument that the majority do not profess any religion. Almost all kinds of religion today are dominated in the Chinese-American society. There are Christians, Confucians, Taoists and Buddhists. At the residence of Chinese Americans necessarily located Chinese temples and churches. Considering the Chinese-American population, it can be noted that it bifurcates into two classes: the poor, working class and the middle class of professionals. Most of the time they are in contradiction, conflicts arise between them. But there are some things that unite them. This is a fight against racism, discrimination and access to higher education. ( Wang, L. Ling-chi, 2015) Influence of Chinese customs noticeable in other areas of the US population such as politics, literature, theater, film and music. Here we can identify a huge number of people of Chinese nationality who have contributed to the development. Equally important are the contributions of Chinese Americans in science and technology, which have been particularly marked in the late 20th century. Educated Chinese immigrants increased the number of scientists and top engineers needed to work in industry and research laboratories. It is a pity that so far the Chinese nation suppressed the influence of discrimination and racism. Thousands of people from different countries seek by all means get to the United States and stay there in the hope of a better fate. But it is not necessarily to take violent rules in relation to the displaced persons. Perhaps, after a certain time, people will become more loyal to the migrants, and then a definition of discrimination begins to fade little by little. Works Cited Le C.N., 2001. Assimilation and Ethnic Identity. Retrieved from < http://www.asian-nation.org/assimilation.shtml> Min, Z., 2003. Chinese Americans. Retrieved from < http://www.asian-nation.org/chinese.shtml> Pew Research Center, 2010. Chinese Americans. Retrieved from < http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/asianamericans-graphics/chinese/> Wang, L. Ling-chi, 2015. Chinese Americans. < http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Bu-Dr/Chinese-Americans.html> Read More