In the book Tong Wars: The Untold Story of Vice, Money and Murder in New York’s Chinatown, Scott D. Seligman discusses the lives of Chinese immigrants residing in a suburb of New York during the late 19th and early 20th century. Throughout the book, Seligman delves into the quarrels between rival Chinese gangs. The Hip Sings and On Leongs rise in criminal activities led to violent actions that resulted in the deaths of many individuals. Although these individuals acted maliciously, Seligman argues that there was more to the story behind their behaviors. A judgmental outlook on early Chinese immigrants caused these these individuals to be disenfranchised, degraded, and regularly denied justice. Due to the struggle of residing and prospering in a new country, Seligman attempts to discover how the Tongs were able to succeed through criminal organizations through a weak justice system and discuss how violent the Tong Wars became.
During the introduction of Tong Wars: The Untold Story of Vice, …show more content…
Seligman explains how the Hip Sing Tongs were more violent when retaliating against rival gang members. However, the On Leong Tongs were more sophisticated as well as organized. Seligman utilizes a secondary source called New York’s Chinatown to describe the On Leong gang. Written by Louis J. Beck, the author uses positive descriptions of this Chinese gang. Seligman explains how Beck’s principle sources were On Leongs, “whom he portrayed in glowing terms, making no mention of their association with vice.” (64) The On Leongs had several law enforcement officials on their payroll. This allowed their businesses to thrive and protected their clients. The Hip Sings threatened individuals who would fail to make a payment themselves, not to mention, inflict pain using hatchets, daggers, and firearms among anything
During the introduction of Tong Wars: The Untold Story of Vice, …show more content…
Seligman explains how the Hip Sing Tongs were more violent when retaliating against rival gang members. However, the On Leong Tongs were more sophisticated as well as organized. Seligman utilizes a secondary source called New York’s Chinatown to describe the On Leong gang. Written by Louis J. Beck, the author uses positive descriptions of this Chinese gang. Seligman explains how Beck’s principle sources were On Leongs, “whom he portrayed in glowing terms, making no mention of their association with vice.” (64) The On Leongs had several law enforcement officials on their payroll. This allowed their businesses to thrive and protected their clients. The Hip Sings threatened individuals who would fail to make a payment themselves, not to mention, inflict pain using hatchets, daggers, and firearms among anything