The Building of Chinese Ethnicity in Rome: Networks without Borders

Description

This book presents the history of Chinese migrations to Europe within a “transcalar glocal” perspective. That is, it moves between international, national, and local levels of analysis to describe the different constraints Chinese migrants deal with in their lives. It problematizes and complicates ethnicity and identity and refers to controversial concepts like Roman-ness and Chinese-ness, used as identity signifiers. Ultimately, by presenting the lives of ethnic Chinese living in Italy in both global and local context, this book hopes to show the value of a "glocal" oral history of Chinese migrations.  Contents Chapter 1: Introduction Methodology Roman-ness “Chinese-ness” Timeframe Chapters Chapter 2: Chinese Migrations in the European Context EU-China Relations Chinese Migrants and the EU Italians and the EU The EU, Migration, and The Paradox of Fortress Europe Conclusion Chapter 3: Oral Accounts of Chinese Migrations to Italy: A History of Translocality Vignettes Shan Tao Early Comers The Changs Mrs. Wang Recent Comers Mrs. Ye and Mr. Liu, the Journalists Mr. Feng A Glance at Second-Generations Conclusion Chapter 4: Problematizing the Roman Chinatown Media Power Comforting Traditions Conclusion Chapter 5: Roman Theater: Italians versus “Others” Social Life in the Esquiline: Attitudes of Interviewees Toward Chinese Migrants The Rancorous The Indifferent Conclusion Chapter 6: Historical “Fact Checking”: Chronicles and Legacy of the Esquiline Piazza Vittorio Italian Nationalism and the Esquiline #1 Commerce #2 Religion #3 Demographics The Reality of the Esquiline Rome and the Esquiline in Latin Texts Ancient Rome and the Esquiline Medieval Esquiline and the Growing Presence of the Church Conclusion Chapter 7: Once Upon a Time in China: Reverberations of Identities Chinese Government and Migration Zhejiang: A Sending Province Wenzhou Qingtian Conclusion Chapter 8: Epilogue: Toward a Glocal Oral History Bibliography Index