Source: Mercantile Library Collection
"The young people aren't interested in it [Chinese New Year celebration] Once in awhile the old-timers get together to chew the fat and play a fast game of fan-tan, but the people my age and younger play poker in their rathskellers and talk about the things all Americans talk about."
- Chu Wah Chu (Charles Quin, Jr.), St. Louis Globe-Democrat
"The Chinese language was a means by which the younger Chinese generation remained connected to the older community."
- Tak Jung
The quick assimilation of the American-born Chinese both frightened and excited the older generations. They wanted the younger generation to obtain an education and higher paying, less laborious jobs; however, they did not want them to lose their Chinese heritage. As a result, the 1950s found many American-born Chinese in an awkward social position. Like most second-generation immigrants, the Chinese youths quickly adopted the dominant culture's language and customs. The need for acceptance into the dominant culture and the need for a tie to their Chinese heritage, created a "dual culture."
To help their children retain their Chinese heritage, the Chinese community established Chinese language schools and participated in ethnic events, such as the Chinese New Year celebration, which is hosted by the On Leong association.
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