媒介、事件与认同构建:美童公学筹款运动与上海美侨社区的形成

Media, Events and Identity Construction:The SAS Fund Campaign and the Formation of American Community in Shanghai

近代上海创办的英文报刊不仅是欧美侨民理解中国和联系母国的重要媒介,而且还担纲了欧美侨民构建国家认同和凝聚社区意识的关键角色。上海美国侨民从第一次世界大战前英法侨民的"附庸"到战后具有自我意识的独立社区的形成,《密勒氏评论报》《大陆报》《北华捷报》等报刊借助其喉舌作用,以美童公学两次筹款运动为中心,争相呼吁,社会动员,帮助美童公学筹措款项、购置土地,1923年建成适宜的永久性新校舍,进而提高在华美侨儿童的教育水准。而于1930年代美童公学遭遇经济困境之际,报刊再次成为有力推手,初具规模的美侨社区则伸出援助之手,助其渡过难关。媒介围绕筹款运动进行的舆论动员,令身在异邦的美国人重构了国家认同,上海美侨社区作为一个完整的社区形态也因此形成。

English newspapers founded in modern Shanghai not only was the important media which European and American nationals understand of China and contact with their home countries, but also played the key role when the nationals construct national and community identity. Before the First World War, American nationals in Shanghai were ＂vassal＂ of the British and French nationals. After the end of WWI, the American formed the independent community of self-consciousness. During this course, the China Weekly Review, the China Press, the North China Heraldand etc. played a role of voice, based on the twice fund campaign of the Shanghai American School （SAS）, to help the SAS to raise money to purchase land. In 1923, a suitable permanent new building was built on the Avenue Petain, and American children＇s education level was improved greatly in China. In the 1930s, when the SAS suffered financial troubles, English newspapers once again became a powerful driving force, at the same time, the American communities united to help them tide over their difficulties. American nationals in Shanghai reconstructed the national identity and the American community in Shanghai as a whole community thus formed using media mobilization.