COMM320 Media , Culture and the City
and increasingly politicized ’, which ‘ invites readings of cosmopolitanism as a site of moral and political possibilities ’ ( Georgiou , 2017 , p . 652 ). The film exhibits historicity of the city through addressing the history of migration to Chinatown and the on-going history of Chinatown as a constant destination for the diasporic newcomers . It reveals the social tension in the city caused by gentrification and marginalisation . This shows how the film reflexively portrays Chinatown in New York City not as a harmonious urban space , but as a place that is wounded and ‘ crashed by the city ’ s inequalities ’ ( Georgiou , 2017 , p . 652 ). In this event , a symbolic vernacular cosmopolitan city like the film can assist in pushing through the local agendas against gentrification and discrimination in the city . Furthermore , the practised and mundane nature of the vernacular cosmopolis brings about particularistic meanings of the city to locality ( Werbner , 2006 ; Georgiou , 2013 ). Vernacular cosmopolitan city is a ‘ place ’ that carries historicity , relatable to people and involved in the construction of identities of the inhabitants
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rather than a non-place ( Augé , 2009 [ 1995 ]; Georgiou , 2013 ). The film exhibits the cosmopolitan city ’ s locality and particularistic meanings through articulating not only the history of Chinatown but also Lum ’ s family and personal memories in the city . Mei Lum ’ s shop was pass through five generations , and her family memories are thus bound to the place . She said ‘ the store itself has been a landing and launching pad in my life to understand my Asian-American identity [...] as well as my sense of self and sense of grounding in this community ’ ( Great Big Story , 2019 ). The place in the city helps her establish an identity concerning her heritage and her community .
Apart from being bottom-up and practice-oriented , vernacular cosmopolitanism is also prominent in its morality ( Georgiou , 2013 ). Its morality is reflected on its commitment to responsibilities , openness to difference , contact between the alterities and a sense of community ( Georgiou , 2013 ; Werbner , 2008 ; Bhabha , 1996 , cited in González-Ruibal , 2009 ). Wing On Wo is shown as