My Experience with Chinatown
By: Kristin Fong
I was born and raised in San Francisco which has the second largest population of Chinese people right behind China itself. I would say I've lived a pretty sheltered life in San Francisco , not really being aware of the "racisms" in other cities, states, and countries. Oh, yeah, that's another thing I'd like to add: San Francisco is a mix of people from all different walks of life, all different walks of religions, and sexual orientations. Not only does San Francisco hold the second largest population of Chinese people right behind China , it's a very open and liberal place for many gay and lesbians who are welcomed with open arms.
If you walk into any local department store, any grocery store, or any bookstore you are more then likely to find a Chinese person either: trying on clothes, picking out produce, or reading that new Dan Brown novel. Chinese people in San Francisco are abundant, sometimes so abundant each Chinese person you come across you claim is a carbon copy of other Chinese.
So you're probably wondering what does this have to do with Chinatown . It has plenty to do with, actually. Chinatown was a bit of a "safe zone" for the Chinese back in the Gold Rush days where they could feel free to be themselves and not have to face the racisms of the outside world. Chinatown, in my opinion, was basically a little China .
I've been to Chinatown many times, have bought plastic junk that probably I was going to throw away, and eaten Chinese dim sum which I absolutely loved. Chinatown now today is not just a mere "place for Chinese" but now more of a tourist district then it was ever before. And I love it.