Chinatown is a neighborhood in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which is filled with historical and cultural significance. Chinatown is one of the few neighborhoods in Manhattan that is home to both residents and an abundance of commercial businesses. When people use to think of Chinatown they thought of it as a place for great food, fun, and entertainment. However, when one thinks of Chinatown in its current state they automatically think of the street peddlers selling knock-off designer hand bags. I hope to shed light on the issues that many people within the community of Chinatown deal with, such as cramped living arrangements, buildings that aren’t up to code, and shady business practices that would make the sale of knock off hand bags pale in comparison.
I) Demographics: According to the 2000 U.S Census Chinatown is populated with 25,042. According to www.aafny.com about 60% of Asians living in Chinatown don’t have high school diplomas. A majority of the residents of Chinatown are speakers of the Mandarin, Cantonese, and Taishan. However, data on this subject isn’t sufficient because of lack of participation from the Chinese community due to language barriers. According to www.aafny.com, about 65% of the residents of Chinatown aren’t proficient in English.
II) Schools: The school within the neighborhood is Hernando DeSoto School (P.S.130M) According to www.greatschools.org P.S.130M is an outstanding elementary school with a dedicated staff to educate children. Although in many areas around New York City, children only attend schools five days a week. However, a child growing up in Chinatown most likely spend six days a week in school, because most children spend their Saturdays in Chinese school at the New York Chinese school located on 64th Mott Street, which was erected in 1909. Teachers are the New York Chinese school teach the importance of reading and writing Chinese characters, as well as teaching the students about Chinese culture.
III) Parks: The parks in the neighborhood where many children spend their days are Columbus Park, and Grand Street Park. According to www.nycparks.gov Columbus Park has basketball courts, an open field for the elder to practice the ancient art of Tai Chi, people to lay in the sun, play soccer, and an area with stone tables for people to sit and chat. Columbus Park is located in the heart of Chinatown, being surrounded by restaurants that allow for cheap eats.
IV) Local Businesses: There are also many restaurants in Chinatown that have been around for decades. The likes of which are Wo Hop on Mott Street, Sun Sai Kai on Walker Street, and Wing Wong located on Mott Street. All these restaurants offer traditional and delicious Chinese food at an affordable price. These restaurants serving traditional Chinese cuisine give a glimpse into the history of Chinatown. Some transportation businesses created in recent years are giving the MTA and Grey Hound a run for their money. These businesses are Fung Wah Bus Company which provides bus rides to North East states. There are also vans which provide expedited transportation to Chinatown in Brooklyn and Queens. Originally, these vans were referred to as “Dollar vans,” however, with constant fare hikes and limited seating many refer to these vans as “chicken vans.”
V) Hot topics/under the radar:
a. Parents of children are using falsified addresses, or addresses of relatives who live in the neighborhood so that their child can attend P.S.130M. A prestigious elementary school in Chinatown.
b. People with family members who want to immigrate to the United States are paying associates a sum of at least $10,000 to use their tax forms to act as a sponsor for the immigrant.
c. Although New York City has the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, many people who work in restaurants are making $4.00 an hour. The women who work seamstresses in factories are getting paychecks for $7.25 an hour, but if they don’t produce a certain number of garments, the seamstresses have to pay the owner of the factory the difference in the paycheck back in cash.
d. The apartments in Chinatown are overpopulated often housing a family of 10 in a three bedroom apartment.
e. Many buildings in Chinatown are very old and aren’t up to fire safety code, which can be hazardous to the safety of its residents and neighbors.
f. Some families of 3 or more are confined to a single bedroom in an apartment shared with other families, and they’d share the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.
g. Apartments within a building are renting out space, (such as a corner in the living room) for one night to travelers who have an early bus trip.
h. At least half the barbershops in Chinatown are operating alternative businesses which are illegal gambling in the back of their stores, or in their basements.