This Los Angeles Times article from a few weeks back is both interesting and aggravating, about Chino Hills' growing Asian population, which now makes up about 40% of the city residents: Ethnic changes in store for Chino Hills. Like a lot of areas that find themselves with Asian population boom, the rapid change has contributed to community tensions—particularly regarding announced plans for the 99 Ranch Asian supermarket chain to open a store in Chino Hills. It seems that some current (let's be honest: white) residents are afraid that their idyllic community will soon be overrun and invaded by Asians, Asians and more Asians. According to the article, one resident wrote to the city council that he didn't want to see "little Chinatowns all over the Hills filled with Asian signs he can't read." It's a threat to some people's way of life. Diversity is okay—as long as diversity doesn't mean nonwhite "foreign" populations becoming the majority with their markets and language and signs and smells and food. Take Larry Blugrind, a Chino Hills resident, who says that opening a 99 Ranch Market would
"result in a run-down center that is the equivalent of a Chinese Pic 'N' Save less than a mile from the kind of high-quality shops our city has been trying to attract to this area."Okay, I know 99 Ranch is not the fanciest place to buy your groceries, but it's not as though Ralph's or Albertson's is freaking five-star shopping paradise either. He plainly assumes that there's no way a Chinese establishment could possibly be one of these "high-quality shops" that he wants so badly. But here's the real kicker:
Reached by telephone, Blugrind explained that he enjoyed having a diverse community -- his daughter-in-law is Japanese.I love it. One of our favorite lines: "But I can't be racist. My [wife/daughter-in-law/co-worker/dentist/etc.] is [insert race here]." I'm sorry, Mr. Blugrind, but what the hell does that fact that your daughter-in-law is Japanese have anything to do with the matter being discussed here? Could it be that you don't mind your concept of "diversity" at arm's length, as long as it's something you don't have to deal with when you look outside your window? The idea of an "all Asian" city really seems to be frightening. Is it the fear of an "all any group" city? Becuase then I have to wonder if residents were complaining this much when their neighborhoods were "all white," once upon a time. If majority Asian is how the population happens to be shifting, that's the way it is, and you better get used it. And if you don't like it, I suggest you go back to where you came from. Oh wait, that's your line.
"My worry is that 99 Ranch could be a steppingstone for it to become all Asian," he said. "I don't want another Hacienda Heights."