Haitian and Taiwanese Diaspora in the United States
Haitian and Taiwanese Diaspora in the United States
Taiwan
In Taiwan, after the Immigration Acts of 1965 and 1990, there were significant immigration waves to the United States as there were more educational, legislation, and job opportunities for taiwanese. Taiwanese Americans have a settlement pattern of establishing communities in California in areas such as Los Angeles, Monterey Park, San Jose, and San Francisco and some in New York (Jones). High presence of Taiwanese Americans in these areas, allows for the influence of culture and revitalization of certain areas. For instance, in these neighborhoods, they establish their own shopping malls, churches, clubs, that accentuate the culture of Taiwan (Jones). This sense of community outside of their native country allows self-help and the ability to form familial bonds and organizations to strive. Educational opportunities are a fundamental reason why Taiwanese people immigrate, placing a high emphasis on university and the value of a degree. Likewise, the popularization of the tradition and principles of feng shui has been distinguished in the Western world. Taiwanese Americans have stayed in contact with their native origins while being able to adapt to a new society.
Haiti
Haitian immigration to the United States has been limited since the U.S. government has tried to block illegal immigration from Haiti. Immigration has been increasing due to special programs that the US offers such as Temporary Protected Status due to the 2010 earthquake (Migration Policy Institute). The Haitian population is seen as less educated and has lower income and employment rates. The larger part of the Haitan diaspora live in New York and in Florida in Miami. There have been Haitian diaspora organizations that have been created to rebuild the damaged infrastructure and provide relief to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti (Migration Policy Institute). Haiti is a highly remittance-dependent country and the diaspora in the United States transferred $1.1 billion in remittances to Haiti during 2012 (Migration Policy Institute). This is different to Taiwan as Haitian people’s essential reason for migrating is to seek relief and asylum from their countries lack of infrastructure and exposure to natural disasters. One thing that the Haitian people bring to the United States is their beliefs and customs. Vodou has had a negative connotation due to the type of global stereotypes that are created. Many people think that vodou is associated with evil because many western movies such as White Zombie, Scooby-Doo, and Tiana that portray vodou like this and the creation of the New Orleans Voodoo to appeal to tourists (Vago). This has ultimately changed the perception of many people towards the beliefs and traditions of the Haitian religion. Haitians living in the United States, keep their Vodou traditions private largely “due to the negative stereotypes of the practice, many of which have their roots in the 1915-1934 U.S. Occupation of Haiti” which has heavily impacted global perspective of the Haitian culture (Lake Forest College).