Three hours in Chinatown

By Jack Li

January 9^th, 2018

understanding its beauty

Every time I find myself back in Chinatown, I'm reminded that change happens slowly around here. The area in which I grew up seems to be unique in withstanding the gentrification that has transformed much of the other neighborhoods that surround it.

Growing up, my parents worked in Chinatown and I begrudgingly spent many of my weekends behind the counter of my dad's store. I remember thinking that Chinatown was too crowded, dirty, and worn-down.

In years since, I feel a new sense of appreciation for this neighborhood and its ability to carve out a wonderful gathering space for Chinese immigrants to Chicago. It was not until I grew older that I began to grasp the importance — not to mention the privilege — of having a community that feels like home for members of the Chinese-American diaspora. It is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why Chinatown continues to be fiercely resistant to the effects of gentrification.

On the street

I was trying to be stealthy in capturing this elderly gentleman, but he seems to have a knowing look about him. I was caught!

I loved photographing in and around this wonderful gathering space. I grew up with a much smaller version of the Chinatown library but loved spending time there all the same. I remember wondering why Chinese and English texts shared equal space on the shelves. I couldn't read Chinese very well and felt that those books took away valuable space that could've been occupied by the latest Animorphs or Tom Clancy installment. Now, I understand that those texts are more vital to the success of the library as a community space than their English counterparts.

I love coming back to Chinatown because each trip seems to show me something new or a scene that I might've overlooked before. As the year begins and I reflect on my journey so far, I'm glad that I was lucky enough to grow up in an area that is able to inspire me every time I go back.