Chinatown in Los Angeles

1.

A) Canada, known for its sense of community and peacefulness, holds more daggers than it may seem. For years, there has been an ongoing conflict between French and English Canadians. This tension is especially prevalent in Quebec, the capital providence. As time went by, English Canadians became the increasing majority ever since Britain conquered it from France in 1760. Instead of slowly disappearing and melding in with the English, French Canadians remained headstrong with no attempts to assimilate. While both English and French have been declared the official language, Canada as a whole is mostly English speaking.

However, in Quebec, a huge majority of its speakers are French. With that being said, conflict arose as the French demanded the maintenance of their own cultural identity. This need has been so intense that Quebec French people have called for separation (Source 1). Around the 1960s, French reformists gained political power and used it to benefit Quebec and its people. Things the French protested about got resolved and they were seen somewhat more equally to the English.

However, this intensified in 1976 when the Parti Quebecois, a political party, won and passed Law 101 in Quebec. This severely limited the use of English, setting strict rules. While this was unjust, Canada did adapt, and the French-speaking percentage rose. (Source 3) Later, in 2013, the same party passed Bill 14. This made French the official language of Quebec. Some simply packed their bags and left the province, feeling as though they were being run out of the area. While it has since been shelved, its mark still stands.

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Overall, this conflict continues to happen, occasionally drawing attention from the media as it goes (Source 2).

B) I believe that this conflict is not as simple as right or wrong. The French have a point, wanting to preserve their language and culture. However, that does not give them the right to exclude the English speakers who call Quebec their home. They were born and raised there, and the French do not own that land any more than they do. With those points being made, and the decision needed, I would say that the French do have a stronger argument. Their voices being quieted has been an ongoing issue branching from the times of their ancestors being controlled. They were initially wronged and, as a result, they demand justice.

C) As a way to resolve this conflict, I would recommend implementing a system that guarantees equal representation in government. While the French are considerably outnumbered in Canada’s a whole, they should have a majority of control of the primarily French-speaking areas instead of being washed out by the English. With that being said, the decisions do need an equal balance from the few English speakers in those places. These English people should be elected representatives from those areas that understand the dynamic and can balance it out. That way, both languages can thrive in these areas while upholding French culture. If another conflict does occur between these two groups, they should mix in a convention to sort it out. This would prevent having one party take complete control.

2.

A) In Belgium, the root of its conflict lies in two languages that fight for domination: The Northern Flemish (Flanders) community and the Southern French (Wallonia) community. This division in the country has proven to be very detrimental to the problem-ridden country. There is not a unifying narrative in Belgium, but rather, two very distinct voices speaking over each other. The two sides of the nation rarely intermingle, remaining isolated from one another. In Brussels, the capital, the issue is heightened. The two cultures meet with upset attitudes and refusal to have anyone from the opposing territory come on ‘their’ land. The Flemish, when it comes to political endeavors, can vote across the border while Wallonia cannot do the same (Source 4). Due to this, Flanders flourishes while Wallonia protests in its shadow, creating an unbalances conflict that could rattle Belgium’s foundations,

B) Considering all the diversity in Switzerland, one wonders how such a country avoids religious conflict. From German, French, and Italian, to Romansh, the country is seemingly a melting pot of many cultures and languages. The answer lies in Switzerland’s tendency to accept and promote the cultural and societal differences within these different groups. They are separated into their areas where they carry out their needs. This is greatly a result of geography. Mountain ranges and other natural barriers separate the cultures and prevent them from coming together in conflict (Source 6). However, not one area can gain more political power than the others, insuring that they remain relatively equal. It is seen as a successful country that benefits and prospers as it stays neutral. Advocating prosperity from this encourages its many groups to acknowledge each other peacefully (Source 5). Of course, Switzerland does have its issues, but they’re never strong enough to rip the country apart.

3.

A) Chinatown in Los Angeles is an incredibly rich and ethnic neighborhood. In 1852, the first Chinese people settled in Los Angeles. When one came, more began to follow, seeking opportunities and prosperity. Eventually, the land became a general settlement, flourishing with Chinese immigrants who held large job positions in the agriculture and laundry business. At the time, racism towards these immigrants was booming and segregating, allowing them to further nurture this little community of theirs. Since they were not allowed to own property, Chinese people put little money or effort into the town’s appearance. Eventually, they were forced to relocate but had no area to settle down into. After 2 years of struggling and dragging financials, it seemed helpless. Then, in 1937, they raised thousands of dollars for a relocation project in which they could own and foster their land (Source 8). This then became the colorful, beautiful neighborhood America knows today.

B) The early Chinese-Americans moved to Chinatown with the hope of living better lives than they had before. Friends and family that traveled to Chinatown promised steady work and the opportunity to create something they couldn’t do before. Many Chinese people in Chinatown were laborers, working long hours all week (Source 7). From miners to workers at laundry mats and plantations, Chinese people in Chinatown found whatever work they could find, hoping to create a successful life.

C) Ethnic neighborhoods can be very beneficial to city economies and infrastructures. They provide a cheap source of labor to support factories and businesses. This allows cities to grow exponentially and create products that can then be shipped out and distributed. In addition to the business aspect, these ethnic neighborhoods help preserve their own culture. It introduces new food, dance, and clothing, that could make the overall city more culturally diverse. However, there are also cons to this. When that culture stays within its isolated domain without outside help, it festers, segregating these minority groups. These ethnic neighborhoods are not introduced to the influence of the city (Source 9). They are often overlooked by their governments. Consequently, crime rates go up while education levels go down. They’re the cheapest places to live which draws in incoming ethnic groups only to leave them in bad conditions.