MODULE 5 Understanding Legal Issues of New Populations Unit 2: Understanding Cultures Building Bridges Across Cultures In Communities

What Is Culture? It is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought typical of a population or community at a given time. It is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought typical of a population or community at a given time. Culture can also connote a style of social and artistic expression peculiar to a class or society. Culture can also connote a style of social and artistic expression peculiar to a class or society.

We All Have Culture ► Regardless of how you define culture, we all recognize our individual cultural background, filled with many distinct experiences. ► Culture exits at many levels:  Home & Family  Professional – Work Environment  Organizational Affiliations, e.g., clubs, fraternities, sororities, associations, etc.  Religious Culture

Lets Discuss Your Cultural Background ► With Which Cultural Group Do You Associate Yourself? ► Describe What You Believe To Be the Key Aspects of Your Culture. ► Do You Have Customs, Values, Artistic and Culinary Interests That Cross Cultural Lines?

How Do You Value Culture? What Role Does Culture Play In Your Community? What Role Does Culture Play In Your Community?  Family Well-being ► Values, Beliefs, Customs ► Parental Responsibility ► Extended Family Relationships & Bonds  Employment Opportunities ► Informal Recruiting Networks ► Work Habits & Ethics ► Formation of Ethnic Niches

The Role of Culture In Economic Development  The Establishment of Ethnic Communities  The Rise of Ethnic Entrepreneurship  The Creation and Transfer of Skills  The Building of Economic & Political Structures and Influence

A Historical View of One Immigrant Group In Chicago ► Chinese Immigrants Arrive In Chicago in the 1870s. ► Anti-Chinese Sentiment, Discrimination, and Worsening Economic Conditions Made Life Very Difficult. ► In spite of restricted immigration laws, the Chinese population grew steadily.

The Evolution of the Chinese Community Establishment of the Ethnic Community: Establishment of the Ethnic Community:  The Population Increased Steadily Between 1870 –  A Chinese Residential Community Was Constructed Near Van Buren & Clark Streets.  Chinese Entrepreneurship Flourished  In Spite of Harsh Treatment & Discrimination, the Community Grew.

Challenges Facing the New Community ► Laws That Discriminate Against Chinese ► Limited Civil Liberties & Personal Freedom ► Unfair Housing Practices ► Shortages of Capital Resources ► Unfair Bank Lending Practices

Building Cultural Bridges Growth of Social and Cultural Associations: Growth of Social and Cultural Associations:  Family Associations Were the Core & Strength of the Early Chinatown Community.  The Associations Provided Support & Guidance to New Entrants, e.g., food, housing, employment information.  In Recent Years Other Associations and Organizations have Taken the Leadership for Assisting the New Entrants Who Are Coming In Greater Numbers and Have More Complex Needs.

Role Of Today’s Cultural Associations The Professional Cultural Associations of Today Provide A Broad Range of Services to the Chinese Community. As Most of the Traditional Problems Still Exist, e.g., housing, unemployment, language, training; Today’s Associations Also Focus on Issues Related to: The Professional Cultural Associations of Today Provide A Broad Range of Services to the Chinese Community. As Most of the Traditional Problems Still Exist, e.g., housing, unemployment, language, training; Today’s Associations Also Focus on Issues Related to:  Juvenile Delinquency  Health Care  Elderly Services

Recent Associations In 1978, the Chinese American Social Service League was Established To Provide Assistance With Housing, Employment, Health Care, Troubled Youth and other Community Social Needs. In 1978, the Chinese American Social Service League was Established To Provide Assistance With Housing, Employment, Health Care, Troubled Youth and other Community Social Needs.

Recent Associations The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association was also Founded To Bridge Needs to Services. Over the Years They Have Provided Lunch Programs for the Elderly and Training Classes for Clerical Work. The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association was also Founded To Bridge Needs to Services. Over the Years They Have Provided Lunch Programs for the Elderly and Training Classes for Clerical Work.

Culture As A Factor In Economic Growth ► Chinatown Has Realized Success In Ethnic Entrepreneurship & That Has Resulted in Economic Growth In That Community. ► Community Businesses, e.g., laundries, restaurants, Chinese grocery stores, food processing factories, etc., all provide job opportunities for many immigrants in the Community.

Culture As A Factor In Community & Economic Development ► Chinatown Is A Community With A Cultural Heritage & Identification For Chinese People. ► Chinatown Also Attracts Other Persons In the Community and Visitors Because It Serves As A Gateway to the Chinese Culture. ► Chinatown’s Economic & Cultural Contribution to the Chicago Community Has Helped Its Community Achieve Social and Political Clout.

Chinatown-Chicago