Korean Immigrant Communities Essay

Words: 483
Pages: 2

4. Compare and contrast the experience of Korean and Asian Indian immigrant communities. What are the similarities and differences?
The Korean immigrant experience in America was filled with struggles and accomplishments. In 1920, there were only 1,711 Koreans. (Takaki, 270). Though their numbers were small, they were determined to fight for freedom. One of the major issues in this community was “struggling for Korean independence from Japan” (Takaki 277). Koreans were driven to break away from Japanese colonialism by forming groups like the Korean National Association. This group helped Koreans find “community and identity in patriotic organization” (Takaki 278). Life revolved around this independence movement, so many contributed as much time and money as they could. The Korean community thrived through establishing restaurants, laundry mats, barbershops, especially hotel businesses. Christianity served as their religion and became a part of the movement. As a result, second generation groups did not have the same
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Both groups experienced “ethnic antagonism” known as competition and conflict between white workers (Takaki 271). Since being white in America was a privilege, immigrants found it hard to find work. One of the ways to overcome this issue was to form gangs. These gangs had leaders who “found employment for the workers, negotiated the terms of labor, arranged board and shelter, and served as general supervisor” (Takaki 303). Many of the Koreans and Indians were usually farmers and railroad workers. In addition, both immigrants were banned from owning land in California through the Alien Land Act of 1913. Their only chance of getting land was through using their American-born children’s names. Another thing that Koreans and Asian Indians had in common was that when they arrived to America they did not form separate ethnic