Chopsticks in the Land of Cotton: Lives of Mississippi Delta Chinese Grocers by John Jung

Author:John Jung [Jung, John]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2010-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Figure 41 Chinese Baptist Church, Cleveland, Ms. Courtesy of Peter Joe.

As one unnamed Chinese woman recalled about her experiences at the Church:

…we would spend most of the time reading from the Bible, learn how to eat with fork, knives, and spoons, and learn how to be good Baptists.... I don't recall them teaching much else, but it really helped us learn English and that made our parents happy. That way, when we came home, we could teach them the words we learned at school.127

Christianity was palatable to the Chinese because it was congruent with Confucian principles, which stress families and moral integrity. Confucianism rested on the authority of the clan or extended family, and traditional values. Chinese immigrants wanted to instill Confucian principles like family values and respect in their children, who did not find Confucianism relevant in the United States. Christianity is also based on authority, although of a different type. It promised security and comfort to the Chinese immigrants living in cultural isolation in the Delta. Thus, immigrants could retain their traditional Confucian values and instill those values into their children even as they were being converted to the Christian faith.

Delta Chinese, especially in larger cities like Greenville and Cleveland, over time became highly involved with their participation in Christian denominations such as Baptist and Methodist churches. By one estimate, nation-wide only about 8 percent of Chinese participated or belonged to Christian churches while at least 25 percent of the Delta Chinese were church members and in Cleveland, Mississippi, over 50 percent belonged to a church.128 Thus, the high level of church attendance among the Chinese reflected the traditionally strong presence and influence of the Christian church in the daily life of southern communities.

In 1941, a sociologist, made the following observation about how the white church shifted in its views of the status of Chinese.

Ten years ago Chinese were both members and communicants of the First (white) Baptist Church of Cleveland, Mississippi. Today they are still members of the church, but they must attend special services. Sometimes the Chinese teacher will act in the role of teacher, and often the white pastor will conduct the service. As members of the church the Chinese are granted the right to use the First Baptist Church for weddings and other functions. At these affairs invited members of the white community may participate.

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