Chicago's Chinatown

Day 3 in Chicago. This morning we met a group in south Chicago called Chinese American
Service League (CASL). This organization is very similar to CCDC. They have a history of 34
years. They have six departments to provide services to different age group. Their programs
provide child care, tutoring, job training, legal clinic and they do affordable housing to help the
low and moderate income families. The executive director, C.W. gave us a tour around Chinatown.
I heard that he helped the Chinatown advocate for many things such as getting the park back and
building a library in their own community. He also brought us to the Asian American Museum,
a Chinese restaurant in the Chinatown, and the water taxi tour from Chinatown to Downtown. The Asian American Museum is a place full of amazing stories about the Chinese in Chicago, and I learned about how the Chinatown was built and why they built it like a "L" shape. The reason is Chinatown was originally built in the financial district but because of the discrimination; Chinatown moved out from that area and established the new Chinatown. The built it in a "L" shape because the discrimination never end, so built in a shape, all buildings or houses are packed together, so when something is happen to one family, the other family can come and help easily and more unite. We also met CASL youth group. They are very nice; we share our ideas and programs to each other. I really like about their dragon boat race, I think is very meaningful. This event can bring different community together and all can have fun together. I also learn that they do different advocacy and they do issues that are not only focus on one place or one topic but varied. We all having fun meeting each other and add friends to our Facebook. It's a nice day spending with them.
-Meifeng Deng