RESILIENCE
韌性

RESILIENCE 韌性

New Chinatown is a landmark manifestation of Chinese resilience in Los Angeles. The first planned Chinatown in North America to be owned by Chinese, it was conceived and created in response to their eviction from properties in Old Chinatown in the 1930s. Community leaders Peter SooHoo Sr. and Y. C. Hong identified with the American principles of liberty and independence, despite the discrimination that they experienced. In their new home, the Chinese persisted in their struggle for full civil rights for their generation and future generations.

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It's really crazy to see the dragon, this photo on the dirt road and how it's still a main focal point in the Chinese New Year parades in Chinatown today. And it shows a lot of resilience, and it's really amazing how Chinese people have kept this culture and this tradition going, despite all that has happened.”

- Fanny Situ
A dragon parading through the dirt streets of Old Chinatown (c. 1900)
Los Angeles Public Library, Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection.

A dragon parading through the dirt streets of Old Chinatown
(c. 1900)

Peter SooHoo Sr. working at a drafting table (1920s)
The Huntington Library, Peter SooHoo Sr. Papers.

Peter SooHoo Sr. working at a drafting table (1920s)

My father was Peter SooHoo Sr. and he started Chinatown. And it was through Mr. Lapham and my father that they got the land and... they decided, let's see if we can build a new Chinatown. And that's when it started. He was an engineer at the Department of Water and Power. The first Chinese, I think, hired. And he stayed there until he died.”

- Pat SooHoo Lem

No matter how much the odds are stacked against you, and no matter how many times you are beaten down and belittled and told, no, you can't be here...you know who you are. You know your worth, you know that you have an entire community and entire family that will back you up, and they will celebrate you at your highs, and they will stick with you through your lows.”

- Cindy Yan
Printed invitation to the opening ceremony of New Chinatown (1938)
The Huntington Library, Peter SooHoo Sr. Papers.

Printed invitation to the opening ceremony of New Chinatown (1938)

Y. C. Hong (center, behind podium) and members of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (1928)
The Huntington Library, Hong Family Papers.

Y. C. Hong (center, behind podium) and members of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (1928)

A group of American-born Chinese wanted to join the Native Sons of the Golden West. They said, Oh yeah, we're born in California. We're Native Sons of the Golden West. But they were rebuffed because they were Chinese. So they said, well screw you, we're going to start our own organization. They started the Native Sons of the Golden State [later the Chinese American Citizens Alliance].”

- Eugene Moy

Chinese have gone through some horrible times, but they never let it be a part of their future. From what I know growing up, it’s always about looking forward.”

- Caitlin Bryant

Chinese have gone through some horrible
times, but they never let it be a part of their future. From what I know growing up, it's
always about looking forward.”

- Caitlin Bryant
Donations for Sino-Japanese War victims packed outside Chinese Refugees Relief Headquarters on N. Los Angeles Street (1937-1945)
Los Angeles Public Library, Herman J Schultheis Photo Collection.

Donations for Sino-Japanese War victims packed outside Chinese Refugees Relief Headquarters on N. Los Angeles Street
(1937-1945)

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