Transnational Cultural Flow from Home: Korean Community in Greater New York

The first wave of post-1965 Korean immigrants in the New York-New Jersey area relied on retail and service businesses in minority neighborhoods, leading to conflicts with customers and government agencies. After the 1990 Immigration Act, Korean immigrants with professional and managerial backgrounds found occupations in the mainstream economy, and the Korean community engaged in political campaigns to integrate into mainstream society. Transnational Cultural Flow from Home examines the Korean community's efforts to preserve and promote their cultural traditions to New Yorkers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 09 December 2022
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

When the initial cohort of post-1965 Korean immigrants arrived in the New York-New Jersey area in the early 1970s, they found themselves reliant on retail and service businesses in the minority neighborhoods where they settled. This reliance sparked ongoing conflicts with customers in black neighborhoods of New York City, as well as with white suppliers at Hunts Point Produce Market, and with city government agencies that regulated small business activities. Moreover, due to the prevailing social conditions of the time, Korean immigrants had limited contact with their homeland. The Korean community in the area was highly segregated from both mainstream New York society and South Korea. However, a significant shift occurred after the 1990 Immigration Act, which opened doors for Korean immigrants with professional and managerial backgrounds to secure employment in the mainstream economy. Korean community leaders also actively engaged in political campaigns to secure the election of Korean candidates to city council members and higher levels of legislative positions in the area. As the Korean community's integration into mainstream society progressed, stronger transnational ties emerged, fostering a deeper connection between the Korean community in the NY-NJ region and their homeland. This connection led to the inclusion of everyday Korean life and cultural elements in the local landscape, enriching the cultural tapestry of the region.

Transnational Cultural Flow from Home delves into the collective endeavors of New York Korean immigrants to preserve and promote their cultural traditions and practices among New Yorkers. The publication focuses on the diverse cultural elements that shape Korean society, including language, cuisine, cultural festivals, and traditional and contemporary performing arts. This project was supported by the 2022 Korean Studies Grant Program of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS-2022-P-009).

Weight: 54g
Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978827141