Description
Book SynopsisFrom Chinatown to Every Town explores the recent history of Chinese immigration within the United States and the fundamental changes in spatial settlement that have relocated many low-skilled Chinese immigrants from New York City's Chinatown to new immigrant destinations. Using a mixed-method approach over a decade in Chinatown and six destination states, sociologist Zai Liang specifically examines how the expansion and growing popularity of Chinese restaurants has shifted settlement to more rural and faraway areas. Liang's study demonstrates that key players such as employment agencies, Chinatown buses, and restaurant supply shops facilitate the spatial dispersion of immigrants while simultaneously maintaining vital links between Chinatown in Manhattan and new immigrant destinations.
Trade Review"The book’s key insight—that spatial assimilation is not just an individual level phenomenon, but rather is shaped by group-level dynamics and institutions—can be applied well beyond the Chinese restaurant industry."
* Social Forces *
Table of ContentsContents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction
2. Job Search: From Immigrant Networks to Market-Based Institutions
3. Making the Connection: The Story of the Chinatown Bus
4. Choices for New Immigrant Destinations
5. New Businesses in New Places: Adaptation and Race Relations
6. The Ties That Bind: Between Chinatown in Manhattan and New Immigrant Destinations
7. Conclusion
Appendix A: Methods
Appendix B: Analysis of Job Locations
Notes
References
Index
