MAPACA

Mid-Atlantic Popular &
American Culture Association

Baltimore’s Chinatown presents a unique case study examining the transformation of a site of segregation and isolation to a center of celebration and connection for the greater Asian American community. My research focuses on the reasons to remember and preserve the immigrant-built neighborhood. Using urban ethnography, interviews, and supporting textual analysis, I explore Chinatown’s complex origins from the late 19th century, its prime and decline during the 20th century, and current plans for future revitalization. Most notably, The Chinatown Collective, an organization dedicated to preserving Chinatown through creative means, has begun developing a night market in the neighborhood to bridge the gap between its past and present. Although Chinatown has suffered from suburban flight and assimilation into American society, the area continues to function as a place for Asian Americans to congregate, facilitating cultural exchange and shared background. Through the exploration of Chinatown’s history, I study the relationship between the conversation of race in America and Asian Americans, as well as successful strategies employed by thriving Chinatowns in other cities in the United States. This paper discusses how Chinatown acts as the segue for Asian Americans to reconnect with their heritage, foster belonging in a diverse space, and open a dialogue on both contemporary Asian American urban identity and Chinatown’s importance on the overall patchwork of Baltimore.