Chinatown gentrification in Boston: 
protest by adapting Christmas carols

The following comes to me from one of our GHFC dragon boat paddlers.
BARBARA WALDERN - now doing an anthropology degree at SFU.

Vancouver Chinatown is undergoing its own gentrification.  Some people think that 
Vancouver Chinatown is dying.  In fact, it's vitality has been in decline for decades.  
But there are revitalization projects forhistoric Vancouver Chinatown.  
Will it make a difference?

NEWS: Boston Carolers Sing About Gentrification

Carolers: Gentrification means many not merry

By Laura Crimaldi
Boston Herald

Chinatown residents are hoping a few fa-la-las, and maybe a ho, ho,
ho, will 
help residents battle the gentrification blues.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006


The Chinese Progressive Association (CPA) and the Chinatown Resident 
Association will go caroling throughout Chinatown next week to raise 
awareness about the influx of high-rises, hotels and ritzy restaurants 
squeezing residents of the neighborhood.

    "This is the first time we're doing this," said Amy Leung, a CPA 
activist, who is helping organize the caroling stops at six apartment 
buildings. "The idea is to get the information out in a fun way."

    CPA Executive Director Lydia Lowe has penned pointed lyrics to the 
tune of Christmas classics like "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" to describe 
what gentrification is doing to Chinatown.

    The lyrics of "Won't Be Living Long In Chinatown," which is sung
to the tune of "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," include "We always said that 
what we need is housing, / But penthouse condos isn't what we meant. / Who 
knew that C-town could be like the South End / This strip where migrant 
workers pitched their tents,"

    Four carolers practiced the songs, which will be sung in English 
and Chinese, at the CPA office yesterday. Carolers plan to bring maps of 
Chinatown with their sheet music to show tenants how much development 
is going on in their neighborhood.

These are the lyrics to one of the "carols" that Chinatown neighborhood 
groups will sing to battle gentrification:
(To the tune of 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas')

The MP3, "Won't Be Living Long in Chinatown" 
http://www.bostonherald.com/audio/20061213chinatown/song1.mp3
The MP3, "We Wish That We Get to Stay Here" 
http://www.bostonherald.com/audio/20061213chinatown/song2.mp3

    Refrain:

    We wish that we get to stay here,
    We hope that we get to stay here,
    We'll fight so we get to stay here!
    Chinatown is our home!

    Verse:

    Support other tenants
    To stay in their homes,
    Follow our master plan
    As development grows.

    Refrain:

    We wish that we get to stay here,
    We hope that we get to stay here,
    We'll fight so we get to stay here!
    Chinatown is our home!

    Verse:

    We need some laws changed
    To make ourselves heard
    Some real city planning
    That's not just in word.