Reason for Migration of Vietnamase and Chinese to Cabramata - Term Paper Example

 «Reason for Migration of Vietnamase and Chinese to Cabramata» Brief History of Cabramata Cabramata is a suburb of Sydney, Australia and the place for the largest settlement of Chinese and Vietnamese people in Australia. The region saw large-scale migrations of people from Europe, Russia and Vietnam and it represents a very large and ethnic diverse migrant community (Pollon, 1990). Common media has portrayed the migration and concentration of Indo-Chinese Australians in the City of Cabramata unfavorably (Dunn, 1993, p. 510). The assumption was that ethnic concentrations were a manifestation of social malady (Dunn, 1998, p. 508). Cabramata was earlier a place where drugs were sold and people went by the train informally called the 'smack express'. Local people would wait at the station for white people to get down and buy drugs (Maher, 2013). Australian migrant entry and the 'White Australia' identity and practice have shifted through a short phase of assimilation to the present model of multi-culture. The Australian sense of nation and its national identity is constructed out of racist ideals (Dunn, 1998. p. 516). Many Vietnamese in Cabramata work in the enclave economy that offers more than outworking jobs. The place has since recent times become a source of leisure activities such as dining and attending religious services (Dunn, 1998, p. 527). The Vietnamese came in large numbers from 1975 after the fall of Saigon when communist forces began to settle down in Cabramata. Many were fleeing the communist forces that were killing large number of people while many wanted a new life (HSC, 2013). The migrants settled down in the city and while they assimilated with others, the people had their own culture, food and religious habits and many structures were built that present a cultural diversity (Carruthers, 2008). Literature Review Ethnic residential concentrations display all the basic features related to a territory. They provide a source of identity, they are characterized by substantial degree of exclusiveness and they act to compartmentalize activity spatially (Boal, 1989, p. 50). When ethnic groups migrate, spatial outcomes become important. Ethnic groups can be racial, religious or national in origin and it has its initiation through in-migration. Issues related to homogeneity and social stratification become important. This pattern is seen even in the ethnic Jew regions of Winnipeg, USA (Course Notes 2, p. 56). It is clear that the Vietnamese communities in Sydney do not have a wish to isolate themselves from the wider community by setting up their own inclusive sub-societies or enclaves (Dunn, 1993, p. 234). Positive points of ethnic residential concentration: The world is expanding and many cities of Europe, USA, Asia, New Zealand and Australia have suburbs where people from different ethnic origins settle down. Many positive impacts are observed and these include cross cultural activities, commercial vibrancy where food and artifacts from different regions are available and these zones become focal points of ethnic specific institutions. As an example, Cabramata is considered as a 'slice of Asia' and is now promoted as a tourist spot. Both migrant and Australian White businesses gain from the tourism. Employment opportunities, property prices and taxes for the local municipal corporations grow. Vietnamese students have also shown outstanding performance in academics and they in turn work to develop the nation (Birrell, 1993, p. 28-30). Next section shows the positive points of Vietnamese presence in Cabramata and some important structures, ethnic food and other such points are illustrated. Photographic Tour Given in this section is a photographic tour of places we visited during the tour of Cabramata. A number of pictures shot during the tour are given and they relate a brief history of the place where the picture was taken, culture and about the people. Pilau Gateway: The Pailau Gateway shows a mixing of migrants coming in overlaid on the normal retail environment. Place has many signs in Vietnamese, oriental statues, decor and other objects. Given below is Figure 1 of the Pilau gateway, taken during the visit to Cabramata. Figure 1. Pilau Gateway at Cabramata. Seen in the figure is the oriental style gateway with Chinese lettering and this adds to the oriental effect. The gateway leads to the market place housing Vietnamese and Chinese shops, hotels and other businesses. Image source: Phanh Vei, 2013, using a iPhone Cabramata Sign: The Cabramata sign was put up by the Fairfield City centre. It sends out a particular message about the taste of Asia. The locality was earlier a dangerous place but it now has hotels and eateries with oriental spices and the message is to consume diversity. Many hotels and eateries are present that present Vietnamese food and sweets. Please refer to Figure 2 that shows the sign Figure 2. Welcome to Cabramata Sign. Seen in the figure is the sign put up by the Fairfield City Council. Also seen in the background are oriental statues and shops that provide oriental food. Image source: Phanh Vei, 2013, using a iPhone Typical Chinese Restaurant: The Cabramata area has different types of hotels, ranging from formal restaurants with chairs and tables to small 'Take Away' hotels. These take away hotels have limited menu, the price is lesser and service fast. Shown in Figure 5 is a typical Chinese 'Take Away' hotel with signs in Chinese. Figure 3. Typical Chinese Take Away Hotel. Figure shows a typical Chinese restaurant with food on display. Signs in the shop are in Chinese with the main sign 'Take Away' in English so that non Chinese people can understand the sign. Image source: Phanh Vei, 2013, using a iPhone. Chinese Sweet Shops: Chinese and Vietnamese have the proverbial 'Sweet tooth' and they consume a large variety of juicy sweets. The sweets are manufactured and sold by small shops. Shown in Figure 4 is a display of Chinese sweets in a shop. Figure 4. Chinese Sweets. Figure shows a typical small Chinese sweet shop with a number of sweet varieties. Chinese like to eat a lot of juicy sweets and along with meat, rice and noodles, sweets forms a part of their daily diet. Image source: Phanh Vei, 2013, using a iPhone. Chau-Vo Temple: The temple is a place where migrants come to worship Lord Buddha and other gods. Most of the words are in Vietnamese and the place has an oriental facade with oriental decor, signs and statues. There is also the M Vien Thien Hoa, a house that is converted into a religious shrine. It is an example of adaptive reuse where a building was built for one use is now used for another purpose. Given below is Figure 5 that shows the Chau-Vo temple. Figure 5. Chau-Vo Temple. The temple was constructed many years back and it serves as a place where Vietnamese pray to their gods. The structure has a typical Chinese look complete with tiled roof, dragons, Chinese words and artifacts. Image source: Phanh Vei, 2013, using a iPhone Russian Orthodox Church: Russian Orthodox Church is an example of post WWII migration. Some Russians fled Russia after the 1917 revolution and went to China and these were called the white Russians. In 1960's, they were impacted by the Cultural Revolution in China and fled to Australia. There is also a retirement village behind the Church for Russian migrants. Thus, Cabramata has people coming from diverse cultures and nations. The Sydwest Asian Church has words and letters in Chinese and there is a mixing of migrant Chinese Christian people that come to pray. Given below is Figure 6 that shows the Russian Orthodox Church. Figure 6. Russian Orthodox Church. Seen in the figure is the Church and it has domes along with slanted tiled roof where Russian migrants pray. The church also acts as a community center for Russian Christians. Image source: Phanh Vei, 2013, using a iPhone Cabraval memorial Park: This is a war memorial for Anzac day for the memory of Australian soldiers. It helps migrants to remember Australians and the sacrifices they made. Across the street are a number of bowling alleys and other sales. Many such venues are suffering because of lack of customers. Please refer to Figure 7 that shows the park. Figure 7. Cabravl Memorial Park, Cabramata, Sydney. The park represents the Australian presence in Cabramata and it shows statues of two Australian soldiers on a lookout. The park also features a number of other attractions such as slides and places for children to play and the lush gardens are enjoyed by migrants and White Australians. Image source: Phanh Vei, 2013, using a iPhone Conclusions The report has examined the impact of Vietnamese and Chinese migrants to Cabramata and presented pictures taken during the tour of the city attractions. Several important structures that represent Vietnamese culture and religion were studied. It is clear that migration has an impact on the city and that migrants have integrated with the community. References Birrell. B., (1993). Ethnic concentrations: The Vietnamese Experience. People and Place, 1(3), pp. 26-32 Boal. F. W., (1989). Chapter 2. Ethnic Residential Segregation. pp. 50 Carruthers. A., (2008). Vietnamese. Retrieved 19 October 2013 from http://www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/vietnamese Course Notes 2, (2013). College Course Notes 2. p. 52-65 Dunn. K. M., (1993). The Vietnamese Concentration in Cabramatta: Site of Avoidance and Deprivation, or Island of Adjustment and Participation? Australian Geographical Studies, 31(2), pp. 228-245 Dunn. K. M., (1998). Rethinking ethnic concentration: The case of Cabramata, Sydney. Urban Study, 35(3), pp. 503-527 HSC, (2013). A case study showing an urban dynamic operating in a suburb: Cabramatta an urban village. Retrieved 19 October 2013 from http://hsc.csu.edu.au/geography/urban/urban/4370/case_study.htm Maher. L., (2013). Video recording: Professor Lisa Maher's speech on the problems at Cabramata. College Course Notes Pollon. F., (1990). The Book of Sydney Suburbs. Sydney: Angus & Robertson Publishers Read More