3.2 The Chinese Response: Assimilation v. Maintaining Chinese Culture

Chinese immigrants banded together in response to the oppression they faced. Chinese communities in California developed a variety of social units as a means of protection. Those from similar areas in China developed associations. The associations welcomed new arrivals with a place to stay and some form of employment. The number of associations grew. Eventually, these associations came together to form the Chinese Six Companies, also known as the Cung Wah Kung Saw or the Chinese Consolidate Benevolent Association. The association hired lawyers to battle exclusionary immigration laws and encouraged immigrants not to register with the government. Chinatowns became stronger as a result of racial prejudice. They were viewed by white people as exotic and dangerous. This did not help to downplay Chinese “otherness,” but it was beneficial in the fact that it deterred outsiders from visiting. Chinatowns were a place where Chinese immigrants could take refuge from white society.