Thesis Statement v.2 from Chinatown

“Migrancy means not only changing places, it also means the changing nature of places.”

“Life is not made up of landmarks and destinations, but a series of passageways.”

The idea of entering a new surrounding and leaving ones home brings about physical displacement and a series of mental unknowns. This unfamiliarity challenges one’s sense of belonging. Individuals are limited from bringing their home in transition to a new permanence. Therefore if home represents a place of belonging, then it is also the boundaries of comfort.

Taking on the idea of a traveling soul where he or she is constantly adapting to a new culture and pace and style of life. How does such an individual find ease and comfort in this transition?

Comfort is found sometimes amongst those of the same kind, resulting individuals from similar origins often tend to bond faster and easier hence the beginnings of various ethnopolis.

It is not just about the movement made by individuals or groups from one locality to another. It is also associated with the transformations acted upon the landscape of the new territory. The adaptation of the (pre)existing local vernacular represents the occurrence of homeland nostalgia.

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Using Chinatown (a parasite) as a primary example of the transformation of any city, where alterations have been made indifferent to the urban vernacular at large. The constant (over)flow of immigrants caused an increase in racial discrimination, leading to the creation of ghettos.

Chinatown’s layers of history makes it hard to be defined; however it has acted constantly though out history as a trading post and a centre of refuge. Perhaps it is because of its dense layer of history that has extended its life expectancy, preserving the ‘minor’ alterations to be imprinted on the landscape in which it sits in – making it a landmark. (So where or what are the passageways?)