by Keisuke Harada

The United States is ethnically a very diverse nation. John P. Fernandez said, "By the year 2040, one-half of the U.S. population will be African American, Hispanic/Latino American, Native American, and Asian American. Women will fill 65 percent of the new jobs created during the 1990s; by the year 2000, nearly one-half of civilian workers will be female." Since this statistical estimation, it is apparent that the United States has considerable diversity problems related to different ethnic groups. Because of is expertise with immigrants, racial minorities, religious minorities, and women, the United States is better positioned to accept them. Also, we possess the best laws in the world to protect the rights of all citizens such as 1st Amendment. From historical focus of attention, we can see the evolution of racial relations between the white majority and the black minority. Now, it is a time to concern over Asian immigrants. This time, I study about famous Asian immigrant's city. Many Asians immigrate to California since 1950s. Especially, Southern California is well known as cultural melting pot in the United States. Especially, there are so many people who have Chinese background. Monterey Park is one of the America's most demographically diverse communities. Also, it is a rapidly growing, rapidly changing community of more than 60,000 residents, and it is located just 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. I first heard about Monterey Park from my friends when I have moved to Los Angeles from Denver, Colorado two years ago. At that time, they only told me that it is a city where some Chinese are living. However, I strongly felt like that as if I'm in China, not in America more than Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles. As you know, Chinatown in Los Angeles is "Tense Town", but Monterey Park is huge. There are Chinese language business signs all along Garvey Avenue such as Chinese restaurants, Chinese supermarkets, Chinese bookstores, Chinese herb shops, and Chinese banks. And, my first impression of Monterey Park was that how could anyone know what a store was selling if there were no English signs to tell us. However, it was very interesting for me to see how other people act. Actually, this city was a predominantly white middle-class bedroom community three decades ago, but now has the distinction of being the only city in the entire United States with a majority Asian American population. Since it has been characterized as a majority Asian American city, we can find the evidence of some distinction in a way of politics, culture, and their impact on its city from other ordinary white majority cities. However, there are divergent opinions, conflicts, and attitudes about it among people within its society. Incidentally, my deepest curiosity of researching this city is that it is a city where I'm living. Also, Monterey Park is an important community to study for some reasons. First, since Monterey Park serves as a center of Chinese immigration, it contributes the changing nature of Chinese immigration to the United States. Second, since the United States has a great deal of concern over increased immigration, demographic change and economic development issues have created a complex controversy in this city. As a result, the interaction between ethnic group, and class conflict show up quite clearly in this city. As research on this study, my work made me aware of its attractive points to Asians, city's challenge to develop a sense of community that encourage more human interaction between people and its inevitable conflicts between Asian immigrants and old established residents. Also, since we have overwhelming volume of the influx of new immigrants in California, we might confront similar problem as this city has. I hope this my study helps people to understand what kind of problem we are going to have in California and how we can solve it in the face of this problem. The Facts of Influx of Asians into Monterey Park The first wave of Asian group who moved to Monterey Park was Japanese. Because they found that Monterey Park was a community where Japanese Americans could buy homes. Besides, they were eager to move out of the Los Angeles Little Tokyo, and trying to assimilate into an integrated suburban life. Moreover, beginning in 1970s, immigrant Chinese poured into Monterey Park. Asians were the fastest growing group, by then representing 56 percent of the community. The number of Asians population ratio had increased from 15.3% to 56% in only twenty years. (Table 1) As you can see in this table, while Asian number had jumped from 7,411 to 34,022, other ethnic group number decreased except Blacks. Hispanic and Black population have not changed in big numbers. However, Anglo number is decreased dramatically. At this point, this city is no longer committed to keeping residency only for this "White American majority city." The 1990 census recorded for the first time that Monterey Park was a "majority minority" city. Also, among Asian ethnicity, Chinese outnumbered Japanese 21,971 to 6,081 in 1990. (Table 2) Population by ethnicity in Monterey Park 1970 1990 Ethnicity Number % Number % Anglo 24,476 50.5 7,129 11.7 Hispanic 16,477 34 19,031 31.4 Asian 7,411 15.3 34,022 56 Black 111 0.2 330 0.5 Other 226 0.4 Total 48,505 100 60,738 100 (Table 1) Japanese and Chinese in Monterey Park 1970 1990 Ethnicity Number % Number % Japanese 4,627 56.9 6,081 17.4 Chinese 2,202 27.1 21,971 63 (Table 2) There are some reasons contributed to the rapid influx of immigrant Chinese to Monterey Park. Federal Immigration Policy and Changes in International Politics During the period from 1940s to 1960s, many Chinese entered to the United States as special provisions for Chinese war brides, refugees. Also, many Chinese in Taiwan and Hong Kong are afraid of an eventual takeover by the Communist government. Political situation in Hong Kong made people move into the United States. Opening a business in this country allows the individual and the family visas to reside in the United States. After a while, the business owner can apply for permanent residence. Besides, if a child is born in this country, the child is automatically an American citizen, and this gives the family a firm foothold in the United States. One of my friend who came from Hong Kong 10 years ago, is this pattern. He says, " Since we know that China takeover Hong Kong in 1997, e can not trust Chinese government. We were looking for someplace to live for our future. However, my parents can't speak English so that they send my brothers and me to this country. Now, I have green card and my own restaurant here. " The pattern of Chinese immigration has been for the children come to this country as students while their parents stay in Asia. Once the children are established as permanent residents, they can help the parents immigrate. Mass Media influence the Influx of Chinese into Monterey Park. Since we had political insecurity in Asia, many people were looking for a place in the United States to invest their money and their future. At that time, Monterey Park was aggressively taking advantage of promotion as the "Chinese Beverly Hills" by Chinese in Chinese-language newspaper and in the magazines throughout Hong Kong and Taiwan to encourage people to come over. Throughout the 1980s Monterey Park was succeeded to be popular destinations for immigrant Chinese. In fact, the 1990 census counted 60,738 residents living in Monterey Park, with Asians in the majority at 34,022. (Table 1) City Environment and Its Public Facilities City environment and its public facilities are critical benefits for newcomers. Monterey Park is a community of stable, mature middle-class neighborhoods that provide a good quality of life for their residents. Most of Monterey Park residents live in low-density residential neighborhoods and own their own homes. According to city report, 65% are single-family homes out of the city's 20,000 housing units. Of course, quality of community life cannot succeed without strong support services that help people in their daily lives. Monterey Park's strong community institutions are vital to the city's success. Perhaps the most visible part of community security support is Police Department and RSVP's (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) brilliant achievements. Monterey Park has unique police enforcement program. RSVP has been formed by the Pasadena Senior Center. RSVP's main purpose and function is to supplement and assist field operations and the administration. They serve through a variety of nonprofit and civic organizations, designated as volunteer stations. The stations include schools, libraries and police stations. If you drive in Monterey Park, you see so many RSVP patrol car all over. You might feel in Monterey Park much safer than in Los Angeles. Also, this brilliant program exists to provide a variety of opportunities for persons whose aged 55 or older to participate more fully in the life in this city. Moreover, RSVP volunteers can be compensated for transportation, meal expenses and insurance. In fact, Monterey Park crime rate has dropped in recent years and now stands at an appreciably, lower level than the crime rate in surrounding communities. (Table 3) One factor behind this point, sergeant of Monterey Park Police Department said, " Since the influx of Chinese immigrants came into this city, we have been dealing with so many cases with Chinese. We know about Chinese more than other city's Police Department. We trust them and they trust us." Monterey Park- A Safe Community Los Angeles 9,364 Monterey Park 4,851 Alhambra 5,717 (Table 3) Major Crimes per 100,000 Population (1992) Besides, this city's public facilities and transit programs are very convenient for Asians. For instance, Monterey Park public library provides for special activities, Asian materials and literacy programs such as LAMP (Literacy for all Monterey Park), a citizenship class and a citizenship test component. LAMP literacy program was originally designed as a one-on-one tutoring program for any person who has English deficiency. It is free if you were Monterey Park resident. Also, they have so many an international collection of non-English language items includes with an emphasis on Asian materials housed in the International Room. The city has also developed an expansive transit program. There are five bus lines on the city's Spirit system. And, it makes easy for commuters to travel throughout the community without a car. This program will be of benefit to elderly Chinese. Because of that many elderly Chinese don't know how to drive a car. These three main points contribute the transformation of Monterey Park from a segregated rural town with white-majority to a modest integrated Chinese community. Moreover, the dominant influences of Chinese immigrants become all the apparent when looking at their economical and cultural impacts on the city. Chinese Impacts on Monterey Park Economical Impacts Asian-owned businesses make up one of the fastest growing areas of the U.S. economy. According to the Asian American Almanac, From 1977 to 1987, Asian American business had grown by 238 percent while black-owned business grew by 83 percent and Hispanic-owned business grew by 93 percent. Asian American growth in business ownership has been the largest of any ethnic category. Monterey Park is no exception. Chinese immigrants contribute important role of prosperity of Monterey Park's business success. Also, local government support and its City's location are reasons of successful of Monterey Park's economic because Monterey Park is a convenient and easily accessible alternative corporate address to Los Angeles. Also, Access to freeways, high traffic counts, tremendous population, and a strong consumer market make Monterey Park to business community. Before the influx of Chinese immigrants, Monterey Park was a quiet, comfortable and spacious bedroom community. However, this city evolved in the last twenty years from a bedroom suburb to a vibrant business center with a wide range of opportunities for international finance and heavily service- oriented economy. Because many corporations located in Monterey Park have ties to the Pacific Rim countries such as China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Also, Monterey Park Chamber of Commerce intends to take a proactive role in instructing its city based international trade companies and their landlord's opportunities. In fact, many Asians establish businesses or subsidiaries to serve as a base to send money out of their home countries into the United States so that Asian and Asian American investment has been important in building a prosperous community in financial services, retail stores, and restaurants. However, Monterey Park's strong business achievements are not only Chinese dominant influence. Nowadays, new retailers that owned by Americans are booming. Because the Monterey Park City council has opened its doors for business. In Monterey Park, there is a unique partnership among real estate brokers, property owners. And, this program that is sure to stimulate new business activity and to fill available space in our existing business parks. Atlantic Square is one of several successful redevelopment projects. It is located just north of the Pomona Freeway. This place had served as an important neighborhood shopping center. However, it was needed for modernization. Because nearby residents began shopping at other, newer center in neighboring cities so that Monterey Park Redevelopment Agency acquired the site and worked with a major development company to reorient Atlantic Square's physical design. And, they tried to bring in important new businesses major tenants such as Ralphs' Market, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Music Plus, Carl's Jr., YOSHINOYA, the good guys!, STARBUCKS. And, it was dramatically succeeded. Also, these national retailers all have discovered how strong the market is in Monterey Park. According to sales per capita market categories, restaurant, and grocery in Monterey Park are much stronger than other cities in Los Angeles. In fact, in 1995, per capita grocery sales in Monterey Park exceeded Los Angeles County by 69%. Also, per capita restaurant sales in Monterey Park sales that have grown by more than 20% in the past five years. It is exceeded Los Angeles County by 23%. Compare with other region, the Monterey Park retail market enjoys a distinct advantage. One of main reason is that this area's $54,648 average household income. This high household income is very fascinating to retailers to move into Monterey Park who are looking for significant development sites. In addition, Economic Development Department clerk believe that Monterey Park residents will be one of the most influential consumer groups in the future in Los Angeles County. By the way, a recent 1990 report shows the combined deposits in Monterey Park's 26 financial institutions, most of which are Chinese owned and operated, have swelled to over $1.9 billion. Cultural impact As I said before, so many Chinese shops and restaurants are everywhere in Monterey Park. In these markets, of course, Chinese is the clearly dominant language. They have large tanks with live fish, live eel, live frog, and rows of imported exotic fruits, unusual vegetables for use in Chinese and other Asian cooking. These stores also have small spaces for Chinese videos, newspapers, baked goods that you can not find or overpriced in other "American" chain supermarkets. It makes Chinese become more familiar to his or her own culture. My friend fits this pattern. My friend came to the United States from Hong Kong last year and is a student at California State University at Los Angeles. He says, " Monterey Park is a very comfortable place for newcomer. Chinese stores and restaurants make this place so convenient for me. It's just like my home." Also, there is unique Chinese New Year celebration in Monterey Park. It is moment of festive celebration for Chinese. The annual street parade to celebrate Chinese New Year, was a roaring success with the participation of Chinese dancers, many other local people and foreign performance groups. Since Chinese and other Asians have dominance influence on business and culture on this community, there are some divergent opinions and some conflicts between Asians and other race. Conflicts between Old Established Residents and New Immigrants Conflicts about Business Opportunity The prominence of Chinese-owned and Chinese-operated business in Monterey Park became an even greater likelihood of threatening Non-Chinese residents for their business opportunity. Without doubt, Chinese's strong business link can create job opportunities for immigrant group members. However, it compensates for many of Non-Chinese resident's disadvantage. Some people say that Monterey Park has too many Asians and that they are taking over Monterey Park. Also, Non-Chinese in Monterey Park commonly complain that Chinese merchants quickly replaced many established businesses and catered almost exclusively to Chinese-speaking stores. However, it is not true. They are just complaining about other people because they are prejudiced. There are so many people I have met are Chinese. And, just because they have money, it does not mean that they are greedy people. They are kind and generous. Yet when an American gets a lot of money for some reason and goes out and buys a chain of restaurants, you will not hear anyone complain. I just don't think its fair how some people act. They must not know how important it is to live in a multicultural society. Cultural conflicts Since the early 1970s, city' cultural landscape has been reshaped dramatically. As the influx of Chinese to Monterey Park, people compared the newcomers with Japanese immigrants who had moved to this city before Chinese and quickly assimilated. They welcomed the Chinese as another group of hardworking people who would be happy to settle into the established resident's life of community. However, old established resident `s expectation of new Chinese immigrant for immediate assimilation met failure. For one thing, Mr. S said, " Chinese merchants were only seeking their own business. I felt that they were not tried to assimilate in this city, even worse. They wanted to be separated from us and they wanted to replace this city to China." In fact, there were only Chinese business signs at Chinese restaurant and Chinese shops that owned by Chinese. Furthermore, this complaint kept by old established resident's political campaign. Barry Hatch, who is famous anti-development candidate in history, kept claiming about Chinese characters on their business sign. In 1986, a resolution asking congress to declare English is the nation's official language, and this proposal approved by 73 percent of California voters. I have experienced when I went to Chinese restaurants. That restaurant was displaying large Chinese- language and small English-signs. And, that restaurant's menus are all written in Chinese. If you don't know Chinese, there is no way to expect what kind of food they have. It seems to serve only to a Chinese- speaking customer. I felt like a stranger in its restaurant. Besides, that restaurant's waiter does not speak English. I don't mind that many Chinese restaurants in Monterey Park. Don't get me wrong. However, the thing is that they could have in English menu, too. Education Program Conflicts Bilingual education program is a big city's challenge to develop a sense of community to encourage more human interaction between people in this city. Since there are so many new Chinese immigrants who could have limited English speaking came into this city, city department ruled that affirmative steps be taken to correct their children's language deficiency in order to provide them with equal educational opportunity. However, a number of old-Chinese parents opposed this program. They were fearful that this program lead fearful educational progress for their children's future. Some of these parents threatened to take their children out of this city and place them in private schools, or move them out of the district entirely. Besides, in 1990 city council election, 46 percent of Anglo says "No" to Bilingual education while 68 percent of Chinese and 57 percent of Latino say "Yes." However, there are many new Chinese immigrant parents supporters. One of new Chinese immigrant parents told me: " I am welcome to bilingual education system because we believed it would help our children maintain our native language and culture. I am a Chinese and my wife is a Japanese. My child was taught enough English to eventually transfer into a regular school with the English proficient students. " When we discuss this bilingual program, this debate will become very complex. Because one lady told me: " My younger brother and I used to go to bilingual program school. At bilingual program school, there are so many students who have English language deficiency. They stick together with the students who speak same native language. They don't want to integrate with other people. There are so many shops and restaurants that speak our native language. There are some T.V programs and newspapers in our native language. We can survive without using English." It is true that bilingual program school leads to stick with people who speak same native language and to interrupt to integrate with other people as well. Thus, it will be sore point for many parents whom want to become integrated community. Also, Proposition 227 is big issue for bilingual education throughout the state of California. Because Proposition 227 does not respond to the need. Indeed, this proposition proposes that all students whose understanding of English is limited will be transferred to academic classes taught exclusively in English only after one year of intensive English immersion classes-whether or not they have learned English. Besides, children of all ages and with varying levels of English proficiency will be put in one classroom. Thus, it is also the neglect of social responsibilities associated with uncontrolled their children's attitudes among groups within our own society. Because in order to become integrated community, each persons should realize how important to have English language ability to communicate with other people. Moreover, in order to achieve bilingual education, each school district should design how to use a bilingual approach to teach students, And each person recognize the need for flexibility to modify and improve bilingual education programs based on what student need. Political Conflicts between New Chinese Immigrants and Old established Residents Since Asians are majority of population in Monterey Park, old residents feared they were no longer living in "all-American town". They have always worried about that new Chinese immigrants don't understand the old American life and that large numbers of immigrants will have a negative impact on this city. One old white resident said, " Monterey Park was very quiet bedroom community until the influx of Chinese immigrants. I will welcome them if they fell into step with our social and cultural pace. This city has been changed so fast. We had no time to adjust this environment. Chinese immigrants kept asserting their own culture and language strongly." Furthermore, they are not only afraid of changing of this city's environment, but also losing their power on politics. In fact, the politics of the 1970s were dominated by the reaction of nativist against rapid political change by developer. However, this nativist's political and cultural trends were collapsing gradually. From the beginning of 1980's local political election, revealed a important political outcomes: the rising representation of woman and people of color in this city council came to shift positions and alliances. In fact, There are three women council members out of five council members in this city. One factor behind this transition was the continuing the development of Latino, Asian American, and Chinese immigrant's tendency to organize for ethnic representation and against nativist's politics and candidate, and they achieved successfully. In fact, Lily Chen was elected in 1983 as the first female Chinese American mayor in this country. However, her bright career was over in only for few years. Because old established residents launched an aggressive campaign against immigrants. They attack to Chinese immigrants with proclaiming "big buck developers." Also, voters were urged to "save Monterey Park," not only from new arrivals but also from noise, and overcrowding. As a result, Monterey Park declined from an all-time high of almost $43 million in new commercial development in 1985 to barely $3 million in 1988 because Asian Americans are severely under-represented among elected officials. Judy Chu, city council member, is the only Asian member of the city council even though 56% of the town's population is Asian American. One factor behind this fact is Asian American's low voter registration rates. The number of registered Asian American voters continues to be relatively small in this city but also across the nation. Because a large percentage of Asian Americans are foreign-born. They are less likely to be fully proficient in English. According to the Asian American Almanac, in Los Angeles County, California, with its population of 954,485 Asian Americans, 378,921 do not speak English very well. Although we have a large number of Asians in Monterey Park, it is impossible to expect them to understand complicated electoral procedures. However, old established resident afraid about that second or third Asian generation voter will be a potentially significant force in Monterey Park. Since ethnic population segments grow and band together, ethnic people will become an even greater participant in the political system than whites. Conclusion and Recommendation As I discussed in first part of this essay, racial and ethnic minorities in the United States experienced a tremendous growth and it is keep growing. Since we have the influx of immigrants in this country, interracial relation is very important issue to concern. Throughout my study, Asian American in Monterey Park has not worked well yet in cooperation with whites even though we can see city's challenge to develop a sense of community that encourage more human interaction between people. Actually, interracial coalition is very complex. Therefore, all of city citizens should recognize the fact of city's problems. They have failed to grasp the core of city's problems. When discussing the conflicts between new immigrants and old established residents, we can see the problems created by discrimination for people of color. However, their misunderstanding of each group values evoked problems in this city. For instance, even though old established residents claimed about losing their job opportunity because of the dominance of Chinese business, it is also true that strong Chinese business contribute important role of prosperity of Monterey Park's business success. Besides, since sales tax is one of the biggest city revenue, prosperity of Monterey Park's business is very important. Thus, we have to understand Chinese immigrant's value and contribution on business to this city. Furthermore, if other ethnic groups take advantage of city's business success, it will become more proactive in providing job opportunities throughout society. In this city, we often see the problems from white's perspective. Such white's perspective came out from stereotypes about that whites should have political power or business power in the United States. In fact, despite the tremendous progress made by Chinese immigrants and other minorities in the past decades, very few people find their free racism. Asians, like Chinese, are faced with a whole host of problems that whites do not have to face. For instance, you saw racism in political conflicts. Old established residents are afraid of that second or third Asian generation voter will be a potentially significant force in Monterey Park. In fact, even though Lily Chen was elected in 1983 as the first female Chinese American mayor in this country, her bright career was over in only for few years because old established residents launched an aggressive campaign against immigrants. However, it is possible that Asians perform better than whites in politics. The only successful way to resolve conflicts between new immigrants and old established residents are to confront the understanding of each ethnic group value and respect people who are different from themselves in terms of such factors as race, ethnicity, language, culture, ability, and family structure. Because, It is very clear that understanding each other in community and quality of integrated community are linked. Bibliography 1. John P. Fernandez with Mary Barr " The Diversity Advantage, How American Business Can Out-Perform in The Global Marketplace" Lexington Books,1993 2. Timothy P. Fong." The First Suburban Chinatown": Temple University Press, 1994 3. Timothy P. Fong. "The First Suburban Chinatown": Temple University Press, 1994 4. Timothy P. Fong. "The First Suburban Chinatown": Temple University Press, 1994 5. Inquired : RSVP volunteer in Monterey Park Police Department 6. Welcome To Monterey Park : Pamphlet 7. Local Economic And Redevelopment News: pamphlet 8. Local Economic And Redevelopment News: pamphlet 9. Inquired : Economic Development Department Clerk 10. Timothy Patrick Fong ," The unique Convergence": Monterey Park 1992 11. Timothy Patrick Fong," The Unique Convergence": The Brightwood Elementary School Incident 12. Voter's Profile by Ethnicity, City Council Election, Monterey Park, April 10, 1990 13. Luis Nogales, "Bilingual Education", Monterey Park Comet, April 30, 1998 14. Susan Gall, Managing Editor " The Asian American Almanac" Library of Congress Catalog