Chinatown is...

As an outsider, my perception of Chinatown was flawed. As a kid, I did not even know people lived in Chinatown! My understanding was that it was an area of space made up of small Chinese businesses and street vendors. I initially thought Chinatown served as an aesthetic replication of mainland China and was developed as a tourist attraction to generate revenue for the city. I was oblivious to the residents of the community and never once thought what the social and living conditions were like. Overtime and with more exposure, I came to understand the storied history of San Francisco Chinatown and the struggles of this community.  I no longer perceive Chinatown as a business or tourist attraction.  Chinatown is an ethnic enclave that has endured decades of injustices and poverty.  It is a community whose foundation lies within the residents of its space.

San Francisco Chinatown has conquered tragedies and obstacles that would have destroyed any other community. The residents in Chinatown have learned to find a common ground and work together to improve their community. Although this community has done a lot to improve its social and living conditions, this picture serves as a reminder that there is always more we can do and that we have a duty to help others.

Photo courtesy of SF Chronicle

​- Wisely