45?-O UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I LIBRARY UGANDA ASIAN REFUGEES AND EXPELLEES IN LOS ANGELES, THE AMERICAN EL DORADO A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN AMERICAN STUDIES MAY 2005 BY Sham M. Chitnavis Dissertation Committee: Floyd Matson, Chairperson William Chapman Dennis Ogawa Katharine Tehranian Jagdish Sharma 111 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My late father Madhukar, mother Asha, and brother Hemant have been the key figures behind my success. The poverty, pain, disappointments, hopes, desires, naivete, values, compromises and sacrifices of my parents have spurred me on consistently. I would like to thank the late Mr. Mahipat R. Pundya of Daman, Gujrat, India. He taught me English in Uganda. Uncle Kamlakar Chitnavis and family and especially cousin Manoj (all from U.K.) have been following my progress all along and shown considerable pride and joy in my achievements. The following have indispensably contributed to my dissertation by rendering both oral and written answers: Asha Chitnavis, Hemant Chitnavis (both from La Puente), Zainul Kanji (Irvine) gave answers to two of the three key chapters, Tina Kotecha (Diamond Bar), and Manilal Padhiar (Huntington Beach). The following made a contribution by rendering some written answers only: Aynullah Bhimani (Whittier), Praful Chandarana (Diamond Bar), Ashwin Patel (Huntington Beach), brothers Manilal and Shashi (Huntington Beach), and Rasik Sudra (Van Nuys) answered 2-3 questions. However, Prakash Chandarana (Diamond Bar), Tina Kotecha (Diamond Bar), brothers Pankaj and Raju Padhiar (Garden Grove), Ashok Pradhan (Walnut), and Dr. Janak Raval (Rancho Palos Verdes), answered all or the majority ofquestions pertaining to the three key chapters. The following richly contributed by rendering in-depth answers during two rounds of interviews: Dr. Navin Adatia (Arcadia), Mr. Bhupinder Batra IV (Artesia), and Indooben Dhaba (Laguna Beach). Zainul Kanji participated in the first round of interviews only. Tina Kotecha (Diamond Bar) found time, despite a very busy schedule, for these lengthy interviews. I am extremely grateful to all the participants for their contributions. When a student is away from home the friendship and moral support of fellow students is very important to his success. The following dear friends have greatly contributed to my well being on campus at the Univ.ofHawai'i, Manoa: Rima Bartlett (U.K.), Karina Bingham, Bruce Bottoroff (classmate), Cheryl Fajardo, Lucia Gutierrez (Guatemala), Kevin Hoffman (friend/roommate, San Diego), Sydney Iaukea, Donna Ligsay, Satwindersingh Makkad (India), Cheryl Mones, Kamlesh Patel, Janine Powers (classmate), Lal Ratnapala (Sri Lanka), Fernando Santiago (Mexico), Prof. Jagdish Sharma, Ritchard Shadian (close friend/roommate), Una Starbuck, Diana Stojanovich (Serbia), Eileen Tabula, Michelle Tyau, S. P. Udaykumar (India), Dorothy Wheeler, Keith Yabusaki (roommate), and Nancy Yamamoto (Los Angeles). I am very grateful to these friends for making life meaningful at UHM. The following friends and neighbors have also played an important role in my success: 1) Arwind Gore (big brother/close friend, Anaheim): He consistently prodded me on to finish the dissertation as soon as possible and stayed with me every step of the way, 2) Alvin Haynes (friend/neighbor): He has been consistent with his encouragement and support. During the spring of 1998 he lent me his computer so I could practice answering questions for the mock exam, 3) David and Lillian Hughes (friends/neighbors): Lillian gave me a copy of her typing v program so I could learn to type during the summer of 1996. 4) Shivanand Mondkar (very good friend, Diamond Bar), wife Devyani, son Nishant, and daughter Namrata. Nishant helped solve computer problems. Devyani and Namrata saved issues of Los Angeles Times Magazine. A few articles from these issues have been used in the chapter on El Diablo, 5) Zulfikar Pabani (big brother/very good friend from Toronto, Canada): He has been a consistent supporter and very eager to see me graduate, 6) Mel Riginit (friend/neighbor): He has also been consistent with his encouragement and has eagerly followed my progress, 7) Daniel Robles (friend/neighbor): He has also eagerly followed my progress, lent a sympathetic ear and shoulder during rough times, soothed my pain and supported me all along. Lady Warsaw (Fullerton, CA; and Liberia) has encouraged me all along and stood by me during rough times. I would also like to thank the library personnel at: A) California State University, Fullerton, B) City of Baldwin Park, C) City of La Puente, D) City of West Covina, E) City of Walnut, F) Rio Hondo Community College, Whittier vi ABSTRACT In American Studies this is probably the first work that deals with Asian Indians who are not directly from the Indian subcontinent. Using eight disciplines this dissertation endeavors to prove that: 1) these erstwhile subjects have successfully acculturated to the Southern California lifestyle, 2) that they have taken roots in the physical landscape, 3) that the combination of the two processes has resulted in the creation of their regional identity as Angelenos. Again, in American Studies this is probably the first work that combines the three said themes in reference to an immigrant group. Since the past shapes the present that in tum shapes the future their historical background (mainly the British colonial connection that brought their forefathers to East Africa) has been detailed. The causes of their expulsion/flight have also been explained. Since the creation of a regional identity is also shaped by national, state, and local factors the mythological appeal of the United States, California, and Los Angeles has been explained and their attributes detailed. A separate chapter on the flip side (El Diablo) of Los Angeles has been included not only to balance (what may appear to be) the hyperbolic aspects of Los Angeles but also to prove, despite the very real negative attributes, the fact that El Dorado is actually much bigger than El Diablo. Using a wide range of indicators, written answers and selected interviews, the acculturation and acquisition of a sense ofplace of these subjects has been shown. vii In the last chapter the subjects assess their success and~~s~ The summary ends with an appeal to the reader not to lump varied groups with some dominant group within their wider subculture and to recognize diversity within diversity. Old-fashioned assimilationists have also been urged not to view the United States in Euro-American terms anymore as the nature of immigration has drastically changed since 1965. The rise of Los Angeles as the ultimate expression of the extraordinary diversity that has thus arisen has been emphasized. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments .iii Abstract vi Preface '" 1 Forced Emigration l Reasons why this topic was selected 2 The order of chapters 3 Methodology 5 Chapter 1: Historical background: Introduction 7 Ethnic variety among Uganda Asians 18 The emergence of a bi-cultural community 26 Conclusion 30 Chapter 2: Causes of expulsion/flight: Introduction '" 31 A) Long term causes 31 1) Perception ofeconomic dominance 31 2) The political aspect. '" .42 3) Ofethnocentrism, stereotypes, and race relations 54 4) Of (lack of) integration 68 5) Of the matter ofcitizenship 72 B) Short term causes 77 1) The economic aspects 77 ix 2) The Nubian factor 78 The expulsion 80 Conclusion 84 Chapter 3: United States: The Distinctive Civilization: Introduction 85 Ofanthropology: 86 I)Myth 86 2) RituaL '" 87 3) SymboL 88 4) Rhythm 88 The appeal ofthe United States 89 1A) The Land of hope and opportunity '" 89 1B) Lifestyle options 91 2) Diversity 92 3) Freedom/Liberty 94 4) Democracy 98 5) Equality 102 6) Ofproperty, liberty, and the pursuit ofhappiness 106 America reaches out to the Third World 109 Conclusion 113 Chapter 4: California: The Distinctive Region: Introduction 114 The mythology 114 x The Gold Rush 117 The distinctive populace 120 The ultimate in opportunity 121 The deeper meaning 124 The confident gamblers 137 Conclusion 129 Chapter 5: Los Angeles: The American EI Dorado: Introduction 130 A) The physical dimension 130 B) The economic/industrial structure: 135 C) The cultural/philosophical dimension 139 D) Defining aspects/characteristics: 143 Climate/Space 143 The ultimate in opportunity 144 ImmigrationlDiversity 145 The suburban ideal. 151 Real Estate 155 Autopolis 155 Freeway 156 Hollywood 158 Architecture 159 Eccentricity 164 The L.A. profile 166 Xl Conclusion 171 Chapter 6: Of aesthetics, attitudes, and values: Introduction '" 172 Questions and answers 172 Conclusion '" 183 Chapter 7: Acculturation into EI Dorado: Introduction 184 Definition 184 The questionnaire 187 Ofhuman capital: Factors facilitating acculturation 192 1) Family and community assistance 193 2) Maintenance ofancestral heritage 195 3) Voluntary pluralism 210 4) Urban background 213 5) Lack of a "myth ofreturn" to a motherland 216 6) Turning the negative into positive 217 Facets of acculturation~ .220 1) Climate 220 2) Space 221 3) The new arrivals' initial steps 221 4) Consumption .233 5) Participation in diversity 240 6) Leisure 244 xu 7) Rose Parade 245 8) Communal rituals. '" 246 9) Popular culture (sports) 249 9) Status ofwomen 254 10) Success .260 Conclusion 261 Chapter 8: Los Angeles: EI Diablo: Introduction 266 1) Ofthe ravages ofnature .267 2) Homeownership 270 3) Excessive consumption 272 4) Trouble in