Chinese Population in Boston Research Assignment

Chinese Population in Boston
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Chinese Population in Boston
There is a relatively large Chinese population in Boston compared to other states within the USA. In fact, they consist of the largest Asia ethnic group in Boston. The Chinese American community in this particular state are very hard working in their businesses and places of work. Besides establishing homes, they introduced and spread their culture, religion and values in the area. This culture has been carried on from generation to another and it creates a sense of belonging to the Chinese community in Boston.
Majority of the Chinese who migrated to New England, in the beginning of the 20th century, consisted of single men and women. These immigrants were in search of a better life. As such they went to work in places such as the gold mines and construction of railroads. Accordingly, the first immigration influx of Chinese population was in 1870. These Chinese immigrants took advantage of an existing strike and went to provide labor at the Sampson Shoe Factory (Marino). In turn, they settled in the greater Boston. Over time, they established Chinese restaurants, schools and business centers. As more Chinese migrated to the area, they established a cultural community, commonly known as Chinatown. The single ladies and men began raising families as they worked while others schooled Further, the immigration levels from China into Boston were perpetuated by the enactment of the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1965 (Xu, 2015). By 2000, the Chinese population count in Boston stood at 19, 638. Additionally, recent research portrays that one out of four Chinese visitors to Boston sought education. Many of them took classes in the Chinese Community Education Centre. Currently, there are about 123,000 Chinese Americans in Boston. This shows a 146% increase from the number recorded in 2000.
Boston, MA, is the city with the leading Chinese population in America. According to a 2010 census, the city boasts of 95, 921 Chinese Americans. Whereas a section of this population live in Chinatown, there is a large part of the population which lives in the suburbs of greater Boston. These areas include; Quincy, Newton, Lexington, Acton and Maiden. Chinatown alone has a population of about 25,921 Chinese people. During their earlier days of migration, majority of this Chinese population used to reside in the area with only a few home owners. However, beginning 2000, more than half of the Chinese become established home owners. In 2012, Hainan Airlines began offering non-stop flight services between China and Boston. Accordingly, this encouraged the number of Chinese immigrants within the city (Xu, 2015). Consequently, they became the highest ranked nationality visiting Boston, MA.
It is the first Chinese immigrants in Boston that brought about Buddhism. Most if this initial population immigrated from Hong Kong and Taiwan, where they practiced the Buddhism religion. During the nineteenth century, this early Chinese population in Boston established the first temples. These temples were made up of family shrines and small home alters. This community arrangement affected the Boston community given that intellectuals and literary circles of the area gained interest in the religion (Chen & Onur, 2013). For instance; the interest of Sir Edwin Arnold in Buddhism resulted to his publication of a rendition of the same. The book, The Light of Asia, then became the first bestseller affiliated with Buddhism in the USA. Later in the twentieth century, the intellects began teaching this religion in schools within the area. Buddhist doctrines and studies were taught to all interested parties and a professorship numanta of the same was also established. Recently, there are many Buddhist organizations in the area such as the Cambridge Buddhist Association (CBA). It is this recognition of the Buddhist religion and traditions that opened up Buddhism to the American public. Accordingly, people from other Buddhist countries are attracted to Boston because of its development in the religion. As a result of the Chinese religious impact, Boston is perceived as a multiplicity home for Buddhist tradition.
The Chinese population within Boston values family. They openly welcome people related to them by blood as well as those affiliated to them by traditions, both whom they perceive as family. Accordingly, there are families within Chinatown that have been creating a sense of belonging for Chinese people in Boston. These families normally settle above restaurants and shops where they can easily meet up with new immigrants. They have purposed to assist immigrants whom they share the same surname with. This assistant is given in terms of housing as well as help in finding job opportunities and achieving economic success. The fact that they welcome newcomers of the same dialect in a friendly and hospitable manner shows that they value family. Moreover, there are organizations which have been established to foster the dissemination of resources and services to all Chinese within Boston. They also aid in the integration of Chinese immigrants into the American society. This shows that this population appreciate each other and have a culture of giving as well as sharing.
Once in every three years, the Chinese family affair convenes is celebrated. Different individuals belonging to the same family surname gather and celebrate their history within America (David, 2007). This is important since it helps transfer knowledge regarding an individual’s kinship from older to younger generations. The young people are made aware of their roots and taught its importance. This population appreciates their reach culture and strives to preserve it. In this regard, a community center to help achieve culture preservation was established in Chinatown. The Chinatown Neighborhood Centre (BCNC) which currently has branches in different parts of the city enables the Chinese people to feel at home away from home (Boston). Both men and women have their defined roles although some men get involved in cooking and operating restaurants. This can be traced to their i...