Learning from Chinatowns’ Recovery

New York City’s Chinatowns were some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19. At the same time, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite citywide spikes in xenophobia and anti-Asian violence, drawing on a legacy of self-reliance and community-driven efforts. Join Open House New York for a discussion among leaders from business, arts, and community-based organizations in Manhattan, Sunset Park, and Flushing’s Chinatowns for cross-sector, cross-borough reflections on their neighborhoods’ resilience and reopening. The conversation will explore what can be learned from Chinatown as we emerge from the latest pandemic lockdown—drawing attention to the strategies these neighborhoods have adopted to spur recovery, and how these enclaves provide a symbol of the city’s resilience during times of catastrophe and economic downturn, from 9/11 to COVID-19 and #StopAAPIHate.

The panel will address questions about the future of Chinatown and the city at large, such as:

• What can the city learn from reopening efforts in the city’s Chinatowns, particularly in regards to supporting immigrant neighborhoods and minority-owned businesses?
• How are arts and cultural programming/initiatives impacting economic recovery? And what role do cultural / civic organizations play in building community resilience (in Chinatown vs. citywide)?
• What types of coalitions are being formed across the city’s different Chinatowns to advocate for COVID-19 relief and resources? How does the rise in anti-Asian violence factor into Chinatowns’ recovery?