Dong-Ping Wong, the owner of Food New York, said that in Chinatown he can “not feel foreign” and that he could “disappear.” Similarly, filmmaker Connor Sen Warnick said that he felt included in Chinatown because “in other spaces, I was always reminded that I was Asian and overlooked or misunderstood.”
Feelings that mirror those of Wong’s and Warnick’s are widely shared. America’s ethnic enclaves, communities with ethnic and cultural distinctions situated within larger areas, are havens that uplift and empower their members.
Little Arabia, the name for Anaheim, California’s Arab enclave, is home to various Arab businesses, providing both a safe space for Arabs and a place where Arab specialty goods can be purchased by the community at large. In my own community, items such as kebabs, kubba, and labneh yogurt are readily found in Arab markets in New Britain, providing a means through which authentic Middle Eastern recipes can endure outside of their countries of origin.
Many other ethnic groups attest to the convenience of ethnic enclaves, and with this convenience, inclusion thrives. However, certain colloquial ethnic enclaves are not always formally recognized by local governments.
In Anaheim, Little Arabia was not technically accepted by the local government until 2022, which propelled local businesses to advocate for change. Many wished for a formal acknowledgment of Little Arabia’s existence due to the indelible impact it has made on greater Anaheim. Amin Nash, a fellow with the Arab American Civic Council, elaborated on the necessity of recognizing Little Arabia, saying, “We exist. The businesses exist and we’re only going to grow, we want to collaborate. We want to be a part of Anaheim’s fabric and we want the city to recognize us and to respect us.”
The predominant view on the benefits of ethnic enclaves is overwhelmingly positive due to the economic growth they generate and the sense of inclusion they instill among diasporas. However, the original goal of creating some ethnic enclaves was not intended to unify cultural groups.
Asian enclaves such as Chinatowns and Japantown, which are found in areas containing dense populations of the aforementioned ethnic groups, were initially created due to racist sentiment. John Kuo Wei Tchen, chair of public history and humanities at Rutgers University, said the following concerning the origins of Chinatowns: “The Chinatowns we know today — in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles — are really the consequence of the exclusion laws, which created the conditions, between racism and the law itself, for segregated, isolated Chinatowns.”
Although certain ethnic enclaves were initially established with the goal of complete isolation and exclusion, the current existence of ethnic enclaves has the power to lead to inclusion. Many ethnic enclaves in America serve as the core of cultural communities, particularly in areas where proper representation has historically been deficient.
Miami’s Little Havana, one of America’s most prominent ethnic enclaves, is a shining example of pride that can derive from the existence of ethnic enclaves. Little Havana’s historic architecture, botanicas, and festivals all contribute to the inclusion of Miami’s Hispanic population and promote heightened cultural awareness. However, even this robust community has been threatened by opposition. “Drive-thrus, large signage and demolition of historical buildings [are] all part of their plan to convert Calle Ocho from its current status as a historical and cultural mecca to just another big-box non-descript version of Miami street,” said Dan Fuller, businessman and co-founder of the Merchants Alliance.
The lack of aid and support for ethnic enclaves must be addressed, as businesses and livelihoods may inevitably be endangered with absent support. Ethnic-centric businesses, particularly those within broader ethnic enclaves, do not only contribute to economic success, but to empowerment in communities that have undoubtedly been excluded.
Seeking representation in all spaces is a lofty goal, but embracing ethnic enclaves is a powerful way to promote marginalized communities. As with all facets of life, history cannot be erased, nor should it be. Rather, we should take advantage of the existence of different ethnic and cultural communities that make our country a true melting pot. Our differences do not have to polarize us; they can serve as a vessel to showcase unique perspectives and contribute to America’s growing diversity.
Just as Little Havana has been recognized as a “point of entry into American life but also a place to escape as one makes progress”, so too can other ethnic enclaves be the necessary gateway for greater cultural and ethnic acceptance and flourishment. Hearing the greeting “marhaba,” or “welcome,” as you walk into an Arab market full of your favorite foods elicits a feeling of mutual acceptance. This one word symbolizes community, connection, and, moreover, inclusion.
Sarah Behjet of Farmington is a member of Bring Arab Youth Together.