Richmond Chinese Network President John Kang is leading efforts to bring together the growing population of Chinese immigrants and Chinese-Americans.
Aug. 1, 2009
Growing up Chinese in Richmond wasn’t easy for John Kang, he was ashamed of it. As one of a handful of Asian students in the schools he attended, he was often influenced by American stereotypes of what a Chinese person should be.
But Kang, 37, doesn’t want his children to grow up with that same sense of the Chinese culture. Kahn, whose parents are originally from China, practices acupuncture and herbal medicine here on Old Richmond Avenue.
For the past two years Kahn has served as the president of the Richmond Chinese Network in an effort to further networking and cultural opportunities for Chinese-Americans. Known as the Organization for Chinese Americans since 1978, Kahn’s goal is to make it feel more inclusive.
A Growing Community
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the Chinese population in the city jumped 30 percent from 2000 to 2007.
Kahn doubts the accuracy of U.S. Census numbers and believes the actual population of Chinese in the city is quite higher than the 3,221 that were reported between 2005 and 2007. Due to factors such as a fluid population and neglect by illegal immigrants to fill out census paperwork, he believes the true head-count is somewhere closer to 10,000.
Why are Chinese immigrants choosing to come to Richmond?
Kahn said it’s mainly for employment and education. The city has a few companies, as well as the state government, that often hire Chinese citizens to come work in Virginia’s capital.
“Richmond is often a first stop for people who have large employers,” Kahn said. He added that ethnic Chinese individuals may find a job elsewhere and move, or settle down to start a family—either way, he wants to bring together as many people as possible from the city’s Chinese community.
Kahn said the organization wants to help people find opportunities in Richmond as well as help people grow their businesses. Group members come from approximately 100 households, though several thousand people are contacted for various events through e-mails and associations with other Chinese organizations. The group has a page on the online social networking site Facebook.
“Richmond has its good parts as to why people come,” Kahn said. “Part of the reason for the organization is to get people to stay.”
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Listen to a podcast of Richmond Chinese Network board member Sophia Hsu as she describes the organization.
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Informal Networking
Chinese who are new to Richmond don’t always join a formal group such as the Richmond Chinese Network to reach out to others in the community.
Jamie Wong recently earned a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He to the U.S. from northeast China two years ago to attend school and ended up landing a job in Richmond. He said many students from China will come to the U.S. for graduate school and “work very hard.”
While Wong said Richmond lacks entertainment opportunities, his networking has been informal with others in the Chinese community. He gets together with friends for karaoke, games of Mah Jong and potluck dinners with traditional Chinese cuisine.
However, other than those infrequent meetings, his schedule is packed.
Wong said there’s pressure on foreign nationals to keep a job here. He was able to find his job out of graduate school through informal networking and his company has business ties with contacts in China.
Of foreign nationals he said, “If they lose their job, they lose everything.”
For now, Wong is working two jobs, one part-time and one full-time. He plans on staying here for five years to get work experience and earn money and doesn’t rule out staying in the city if he ends up having a family.
“Chinese Americans don’t settle very long in one place unless they have a family.”
Building Families
Richmond resident Eric Lin, a second generation Chinese-American, represents the Chinese community for the Asian American Society of Central Virginia. Lin said the organization plans on hosting an education forum for Asian families and local school officials so the two groups can exchange information about the educational process in the U.S.
Lin, who is also affiliated with the Richmond Chinese Network, said that in China there is a very strong emphasis on education.
“That’s the way people think,” Lin said. “Education is the better way to go to achieve a better life.”
Lin noted that the school systems in America are different from those in China and parents may not feel as though schools are preparing their children as much as they should. Bringing families together with school officials is a way to educate immigrant parents.
Personally, Lin said that as a parent he wants his children well educated and will do what it takes to make that happen.
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TT Lounge on West Cary Street in Richmond serves Boba tea.
Watch an audio slideshow on a popular drink in Richmond that’s native to China.
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Keeping Culture Alive
Another member of the Richmond Chinese Network, Sophia Hsu, said she and her husband, who is Jewish, plan on educating their children in both Chinese and Jewish customs such as learning the languages.
Hsu said the network brings together the older and younger generations for various cultural events such as celebrating the Chinese New Year. She said the network also serves as a way to help people adjust to life in Richmond and offers social opportunities for families and young professionals.
Kahn said he and his wife, who is Japanese, want their two daughters to learn both languages and watch culture-based television shows like Nickelodeon’s Ni Hao, Kai-Lan.
Kahn’s efforts with the network, and within his own family, are all aimed at bringing together cultures without stereotypes or shame.
“I want my kids to transition between groups seamlessly.”
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(Originally posted on http://coreybyers.wordpress.com/ on Aug.1, 2009)