Ethnic Enclaves: Hub of Ethnic Identity or Shutters to Other Cultures?

Cheyne Fujimoto

ASA 2, Section A-01

In response to Asian Pacific Americans' Social Movements and Interest Groups (Specifically Defense of Ethnic Enclaves)

The idea of an ethnic enclave seems like a cultural hub and beacon for an ethnic community, but they seem to be more like places to retreat from a hostile external society. In some ways, I feel like the defense of these segregated communities and titling them names like"Little ____" to be counterproductive to cultural acceptance by outside parties. Having an ethnic and cultural identity is valuable, but holding onto what originally started as a necessity by segregation and not being able to adjust with shifting ideas and views of community is just close-minded; I don't see what stops an ethnic community from utilizing other public spaces to host important cultural events. 

Question: Are ethnic enclaves in this day a cultural preservation, an escape from a society that rejects an ethnic culture, a rejection of the external society, or something entirely different?

Above is a scene in Chinatown in my native Honolulu, HI, where this historical hub of Chinese culture has become an important part of the O'ahu community.