This piece makes me so nostalgic for Oakland Chinatown (where I grew up). Having lived through and seen the rapid change that's taken place there... and living through my 20s in Manhattan Chinatown, where it felt like home pre-2020, I felt every word you wrote deeply. Thank you for capturing your thoughts, feelings, and all the above so beautifully, Christoph!
Change is tough but inevitable. The growth of Chinatown in the Lower East Side pushed out the Italians, Eastern Europeans and Irish. And there was bitter lamenting then as well.
But writings like this keep history in memory and therefore intact. It is very much appreciated, Christoph.
This piece makes me so nostalgic for Oakland Chinatown (where I grew up). Having lived through and seen the rapid change that's taken place there... and living through my 20s in Manhattan Chinatown, where it felt like home pre-2020, I felt every word you wrote deeply. Thank you for capturing your thoughts, feelings, and all the above so beautifully, Christoph!
Change is tough but inevitable. The growth of Chinatown in the Lower East Side pushed out the Italians, Eastern Europeans and Irish. And there was bitter lamenting then as well.
But writings like this keep history in memory and therefore intact. It is very much appreciated, Christoph.