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Chinese
Fanciful view of San Francisco's Chinatown, ca. 1800s; courtesy the Bancroft Library, U.C. Berkeley
Growth of Chinatowns
Limited to specific residential areas and jobs, many Chinese were forced to form their own ethnic communities and neighborhoods. Referred to as Chinatowns, these neighborhoods were described by white politicians and newspaper editors as “unsanitary,” “unhealthy,” and somehow “dangerous” to the values of white Americans. Bigotry and negative press resulted in the further separation of Chinese immigrants from mainstream life in California. It was difficult for the children of immigrants to find decent education and good jobs. However, Chinatowns became safe and familiar havens for Chinese families.