美国华人研究的新视角:文化社区理论

New Perspective on Chinese American Studies:Cultural Community Theory

通过分析圣路易华人社区的发展与演变,提出了美国华人社区研究的新观点——“文化社区理论”。圣路易华人“文化社区”不同于传统的唐人街,也不同于当代美国东西海岸许多地区以商业利益而形成的新型郊区唐人街,它是由于中华文化凝聚力而产生的社区;华人聚集一堂,不仅是为了经商贸易,而更多是为了弘扬中华文化。文化社区现象标志着少数族裔在美国社会政治与经济地位的上升。

This study analyzes the causes of the formation of the Chinese communities in the United States and reviews the significant theories and models in the studies of Chinese American communities in the last century. It then proposes a model of ＂Cultural Community＂ to define the Chinese American community in St. Louis since the 1960s. A cultural community does not necessarily have visible and dearly defined physical boundaries, but rather is constituted by cultural institutions of ethnic churches, ethnic language schools, community organizations, and cultural, social, and political activities sponsored by the above institutions and organizations. It also demonstrates the significance and applicability of the Cultural Community model to our understanding of the multiethnic and multicultural American society.