The story of Chinese Americans in the South is a unique yet often overlooked chapter in American history. Despite facing segregation and social barriers, they became integral parts of their communities, building cross-cultural connections and contributing to the resilience of Southern towns, particularly in places like Arkansas. Through local businesses, political engagement, and steadfast community support, Chinese Americans left a legacy of resilience and unity that endures today.
Building Businesses, Bridging Communities
One of the most visible contributions Chinese Americans made was through their businesses, especially small grocery stores that served both Black and White customers in the otherwise deeply segregated Jim Crow South. These stores often became hubs where people gathered, bridging communities during an era when society was starkly divided along racial lines. Initially, these stores were particularly popular with Black farm workers because they offered goods on credit, fostering a foundational relationship between Chinese and Black communities. As historian James Loewen discusses in The Mississippi Chinese: Between Black and White, these entrepreneurial efforts created rare spaces for social and economic interaction across racial boundaries.
Dr. James Suen, a second-generation Chinese American from Little Rock, remembers his family’s grocery store in Dermott, AR as a true community crossroads: “At first, about 75% of our customers were Black, and eventually it evened out to around 50/50.” Suen’s father’s store wasn’t just a business—it was a place for neighbors to gather and talk, offering a chance for connection in a rigidly segregated society.
The layout of many Chinese-owned stores also helped them serve as informal community centers. As Suen recalls, “People would stand around the counters, talking about their week, sharing stories. It became a social spot.” On weekend evenings, customers gathered, transforming these shops into vibrant community spaces that brought people together across racial boundaries.
Negotiating Identity Beyond the Black/White Binary
Navigating the Black / White divide was significantly more difficult beyond the walls of the grocery store, as Ruby Chu’s recollections highlight the challenges Chinese Americans faced in a society that didn’t always have a clear place for them. Reflecting on her experiences with segregation, Chu shared: “Our experience with segregation…we weren’t exposed too much to what was going on outside. We didn’t see the black and white. It was just us in the house. And then when we went out and started school, that’s when we began to see there’s that black and that white divide…I remember taking some standardized tests where they would ask for race…there was only two options, black or white…I knew I wasn’t white, so I would raise my hand and I’d ask the teacher…what do I mark? And she would say, white. So she said, white. I marked white…”
This ambiguity extended into other areas of life, such as a segregated dentist’s office. Chu recalled: “Another instance was, I remember going to the dentist’s office and because my mom didn’t speak English, my dad had to work, and I had to have a tooth pulled, I went to the office by myself. It was just down the street from the store, so my dad watched me walk down the street and go in. But when I went in, there was two doors. One said white and the other said colored. And I stood there for a minute and thought, well, in school they told me to mark white, so I guess I’ll go through the white door. And so I did. And no one told me otherwise, so I guess I was okay.” These anecdotes underscore how Chinese Americans were often left to navigate a rigidly segregated society that expected individuals to fit neatly into one of two racial categories, leaving them in a liminal space where their identities were undefined and contested.
Resilience in the Face of Racial Prejudice
Chinese Americans found ways to belong and contribute to their communities. Bill Yee, a Chinese American from Lake Village, Arkansas, reflects on this sense of belonging: “We knew we were different, but we found ways to belong. We worked hard, saved money, and built businesses that supported not just our families but the whole community.”
Chinese Americans in the South endured racism and discrimination. Yet, they found ways to overcome these obstacles by contributing to their communities in ways that fostered mutual trust and support. During the Mississippi River flood, for example, Susie Tonymon’s family faced discrimination when the Red Cross refused them shelter. However, because of the relationships her father had built in the community, residents and local leaders stepped in to provide her family with shelter and supplies. This support, rooted in years of her father’s dedication and goodwill, highlights the strength of the connections Chinese Americans forged within their communities.
Unique Contributions to Community Life
Chinese Americans often went beyond traditional business roles to provide unique services that enriched community life. Beverly Go’s father, for instance, offered portrait photography to Black families, capturing cherished memories that might have been otherwise inaccessible in a segregated society. He even attended Black high school proms to take portraits, creating keepsakes for families and helping to bridge social divides. His additional services—like TV and radio repair—cemented his role as a trusted figure in the community. These contributions went beyond mere economic exchanges; they represented vital threads in the social fabric, offering Chinese Americans a way to become trusted members of the community.
Political and Social Engagement
Chinese Americans in the South didn’t limit their contributions to business alone; many became involved in local politics, often leveraging the relationships they had built through their businesses to gather support across racial lines.
Joe Dan Yee’s political career in Lake Village, Arkansas, provides an example of this engagement. When Yee ran for mayor, he received support from other communities. He recalls, “When I ran for mayor…Black, White, Italian – we all helped each other, and that’s how I got the support I needed,” Yee continued. “But when I ran for mayor, I campaigned door to door. [People in the community would say], ‘I’m bumping [voting] for you.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Your dad put food on the table when my family didn’t have any money.’ And when I ran for mayor… it was five people running. I had more votes than all four of them other ones combined.” Yee’s political success wasn’t just personal—it symbolized the impact of Chinese American businesses as platforms for building relationships and gaining community trust.
Conclusion
The legacy of Chinese Americans in Arkansas and across the South is one of resilience, adaptability, and community-building. Navigating a strict racial system that left little room for outsiders, they found ways to become integral members of their communities. By establishing businesses, participating in local politics, and providing unique services, they built enduring relationships and contributed to the social, economic, and political life of the South.
Their story reminds us that American history is richer and more interconnected than simple racial binaries can capture.
Further Reading:
- Bow, Leslie. Partly Colored: Asian Americans and Racial Anomaly in the Segregated South. New York University Press, 2010.
Leslie Bow examines how Asian Americans navigated the Black/White racial divide in the South, emphasizing their unique position as racial “anomalies.” This book provides valuable context for understanding the social dynamics faced by Chinese Arkansans. - Loewen, James W. The Mississippi Chinese: Between Black and White. Waveland Press, 1988.
James Loewen explores the experiences of Chinese Americans in the Mississippi Delta, focusing on their role as small business owners and their navigation of racial hierarchies. This source highlights how these dynamics shaped community interactions. - Hinnershitz, Stephanie. A Different Shade of Justice: Asian American Civil Rights in the South. University of North Carolina Press, 2017.
Stephanie Hinnershitz delves into Asian American civil rights efforts in the South, revealing their role in challenging segregation and discrimination. This source connects to the ACHP’s mission by highlighting the fight for equality beyond the Black/White binary. - Bow, Leslie. “Racial Interstitiality: Asian Americans and the Southern Black/White Binary.” American Quarterly, Vol. 53, No. 4 (2001): 624-657.
In this article, Leslie Bow discusses the in-between racial status of Asian Americans in the segregated South, offering insight into their social and legal challenges. This perspective informs the complexities of Chinese Arkansans’ experiences.