{"id":84,"date":"2020-12-17T17:19:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-17T17:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandychan.net\/?page_id=84"},"modified":"2025-03-07T21:08:16","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T21:08:16","slug":"the-chinese-community-chinese-yet-multicultural-at-the-same-time","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sandychan.net\/?page_id=84","title":{"rendered":"The Chinese Community: Chinese Yet Multicultural at the Same Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The mural on the old Jerry’s Lee Ho Market (northwest corner of 17th & Meyer) honoring the relationship of the Chinese market within the Mexican community. Lee Ho, Jerry Lee\u2019s father, is on the left; Jerry Lee is on the right. Source: Author.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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By opening markets in Barrio Viejo, Barrio Anita, west of the Santa Cruz River, in South Tucson, as well as other Mexican, African American and Native American communities, the Chinese filled an important niche in Tucson\u2019s minority communities where their goods and services were needed.  Because these Chinese businesses were not in direct competition with Tucson\u2019s Anglo community, their integration within the minority communities buffered some of the anti-Chinese feeling in Tucson.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Translation: DON KIM.\/Trader in Clothing and Groceries\/WHOLESALE AND RETAIL\/233-237 Meyer Street\/TCSON [sic] ARIZONA\/All kinds of articles of clothing of the best quality, printed calicos, white linen, muslins, shoes, blankets, etc. etc., and the best groceries and meats and canned fruit.\/The lowest prices on the Plaza. Source: El Fronterizo, October 31, 1896.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Bessie Don Chan (my mother-in-law) with her sons Scott and Stewart (my husband on right) making traditional Christmas tamales. Source: Author. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese adapted and learned to speak Spanish and, where necessary, Yaqui, and other Native American languages to conduct business. Children born into this culturally rich environment grew up speaking Spanish (or a Native American language) with the store\u2019s customers, Chinese at home and English at school. In addition to speaking three languages, my mother-in-law, Bessie Don Chan, born in Barrio Viejo, cooked in three cuisines: Mexican, Chinese, and American. Her family celebrated Chinese New Year and Christmas too. One grocer, Don Kim, advertised his store in Tucson\u2019s Spanish language newspaper, El Fronterizo<\/em>, in the 1890s. By the 1970s, Phil Don, owner of the El Cortez Market on 1st<\/sup> Avenue, incorporated the Tucson Chinese\/Mexican connection as part of his business model. He established Tucson\u2019s first and only Chinese\/Mexican deli and he was renowned for the quality of his Chinese chorizo. Some Tucson Chinese, influenced by their Mexican neighbors, became Catholics. The children of Chinese Mexican intermarriages were always raised in the Catholic church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This advertisement, likely placed by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, represents many, if not most, of the Chinese markets in Tucson in 1922. Because \u201cgood things come in pairs,\u201d the date of the ad, February 22, 1922, was probably selected because it\u2019s lucky. Source: Arizona Daily Star<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Stores were carefully placed in locations with high foot traffic where business would be good. Major streets, like Meyer Street, were popular, as were locations on corners and near schools such as the Dunbar School. To keep people coming in, like their Anglo counterparts, Chinese grocers offered other services such as holding money for their customers who did not want to use a traditional bank and allowing them to pick up mail at their stores. Chinese grocers were also known to give a \u201cpelon,\u201d such as a piece of candy or fruit, to children at point of sale. Finally, when needed, they gave customers credit during tough times, something greatly appreciated and remembered by their customers over the years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Chinese grocers both competed with and cooperated with one another. They loaned each other money and bought property singly and together. They rented to other Chinese or used the property for their own businesses. Once the Chinese Chamber of Commerce was established in 1921, grocers benefited from regular group advertising in newspapers, a practice that would continue for over 40 years. Many grocers offered unique items to get customers to come to their stores. For example, Paul Don offered \u201cpampered poultry\u201d (capons), Don Wah had a bakery, and Chan Tin Wo stocked Werner\u2019s Lake with fresh fish to sell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to The Chinese in North America<\/em> (Ling Lew, 1949) there were over 106 Chinese markets in Tucson. By the early 1960s their numbers were in serious decline. Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n