Chun Chin Hock's Influence On Chinatown

Everyone in Seattle might be familiar with a place called Chinatown. It is a place where you can feel a Chinese-like atmosphere. It was also constructed as the International District station (Thumbnail History). The Chinatown – International District has been the historical, cultural, and political center for Seattle’s Asian American communities. For the first generation immigrants, it was their first home in Seattle. For their children, the second generation, it was the neighborhood which gave them their identity as Asian Americans (Santos). Not like other immigrants, the definition of an American dream to the first generation Chinese was to give their children a better life, a better education and better job opportunities (Wong). However,

However, Chun Chin Hock was a hero in the Chinatown. On December 15, 1868, a Chinese settler Chun Chin Hock, who was known as the First Chinese immigrant in Seattle, opened the Wa Chong Company. It was a general-merchandise store at the foot of Mill Street (History link). The Wa Chong Company did everything. It sold silk, tea, opium, firecrackers, furniture, china, herbs, linen, clothing and other goods imported from China. The Company was the only contractor in the town, so it had to help the whole Chinese people to get jobs. As cooks, laundry workers, houseboys and laborers on the railroads, coal mines, lumber mills, and local street improvement projects (Wong). Due to its existence, many Chinese were able to work and maintain their

After years of bad luck, years of good luck will follow (Wong). During the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement brought opportunities and acceptance for Asians. They were able to pursue and fulfill their American dream. In 1965, the Congress passed the immigration and Nationality Act, which relaxed the restrictions of immigration from Asia. The U.S. Congress also passed the Voting Rights Act and the 1968 federal Fair Housing Act. In 1974, in order to eliminate the poverty, the Congress established the Community Development Block Grant Program, and the Grant funds were given directly to the cities to use for housing and social services (Ing). After going through tough times, the Chinese immigrants were finally live more peacefully and with more