Articles by Jian Di Liang (Charlotte)

The English Center

March 4, 2013 Jian Di Liang

By Jian Di Liang Being in the United States for two and a half years, my happiest time was the period studying at the English Center – a non-profit organization that helps new immigrants, refugees,

Happy New Year! Oakland’s Chinatown Welcomes the Year of the Snake

February 13, 2013 Jian Di Liang

Oakland Chinatown celebrated Lunar New Year and the year of the Snake.

Freedom?!

January 24, 2013 Jian Di Liang

By Jian Di Liang My friend Alice came to the US in May last year. And we met each other at the English Center – a non-profit organization that helps immigrants, refugees and international students

Dimond’s Food Mill

January 22, 2013 Jian Di Liang

By Jian Di Liang “Our store is family-oriented, and we are dedicated to help customers and serve the best food,” says Kirk Watkins, owner of The Food Mill in Upper Dimond. “We have been here

Health of the Hood: The Dimond & Laurel Districts

December 12, 2012 Jian Di Liang

By Jian Di Liang Greens relaxes us in busy life. It is nice to live in a neighborhood that can see greens everywhere , such as on the sidewalk and at people’s yards.

Moon Cakes, Mid-Autumn, and Losing My Chinese-ness

November 8, 2012 Jian Di Liang

I have begun to understand why a lot of American-born Chinese people do not feel connected to their Chinese ethnicity. If their families are like mine – working a lot, with no time to practice their Chinese traditions at home – then the culture might not get passed on to the next generations. Besides, traditional festivals mean nothing to us if our parents are not able to celebrate them with us.

Carl Chan, The ‘Mayor’ of Oakland’s Chinatown

August 25, 2012 Jian Di Liang

“After seeing all the discrimination and segregation, I became determined to serve the Asian community. I do not want to be famous, but help people with the least talk.”

Just How Chinese is Oakland’s Chinatown?

August 1, 2012 Jian Di Liang

Story and photos by Jian Di Liang In Oakland, Chinatown is considered an Asian center. The markets, restaurants, and social services draw people who are originally from China, Vietnam, Cambodia and other Asian countries. The buildings

Learning Hard Lessons in a New Land: My Immigration from China to America

July 30, 2012 Jian Di Liang

By Jian Di Liang Moving to a new place in order to have a better life – that was what my family expected before we left China and came to the US. On September 25,

Health of the Hood: Between Upper Diamond and Laurel

June 15, 2012 Jian Di Liang

By Jian Di Liang – In general, my neighborhood is really quiet. The streets are narrow and clean. The restaurants, school, stores and so on are mainly located on MacArthur Street. Not a lot of people are on the street. Some people just drive by or walk with their dogs. Compared to Laurel Street, few trees are planted on Georgia Street.