Boston Chinatown

Writes Professor Lisong Liu:

Chinatowns mean a lot to me as a teacher and researcher specializing in Chinese migration to the US. A Chinatown is often the first place I visit when I travel to a large American city, not just for the wonderful and familiar Chinese food but also for its historical and contemporary significance. Chinatowns show the historical experience of Chinese in America, both racial discrimination and exclusion (thus the formation of Chinatown for mutual protection and support) and the resilience and creativity of the community in the face of adversity.

I am teaching the Chinese diaspora course this semester, and I will bring my students to Boston Chinatown for a field trip this coming week. This panel discussion is another wonderful opportunity for my students to understand Chinese migration in local, national and global contexts. I hope the event can highlight the community’s voice and remind people of the importance of respecting differences and welcoming migrants, whose history is American history, our own history.