The Burmese Diaspora in the US

The Burmese diaspora in the United States is a diverse and rapidly growing community, consisting of people who have fled political persecution, economic hardship, and ethnic conflict in Myanmar (also known as Burma). The Burmese diaspora in the US comprises of mainly two groups, Bamar and ethnic minorities.

Bamar, the majority ethnic group in Myanmar, make up the largest portion of the Burmese diaspora in the US. They have settled in major cities across the country, but tend to cluster in specific neighborhoods within those cities. For example, in the San Francisco Bay Area, many Bamar live in the neighborhoods of Oakland and Richmond, and in the Los Angeles area, a large number of Bamar have settled in the San Gabriel Valley, particularly in the cities of Artesia, El Monte, and Rowland Heights.

In addition to these West Coast cities, there are also significant Bamar populations in other parts of the US, including New York City, Chicago, and the greater Washington, D.C. area. In New York City, many Bamar live in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Sunset Park and Bay Ridge, while in Chicago, they tend to reside in the neighborhoods of Uptown and Edgewater.

In addition to the Bamar, ethnic minorities make up a significant portion of the Burmese diaspora in the US. These include ethnic groups such as the Karen, Chin, and Rohingya. The Karen, who are a primarily Christian ethnic group, have settled in many parts of the US, with large communities in cities such as Buffalo, New York, and Twin Cities, Minnesota. The Chin, who are primarily Christian, have also settled in many parts of the US, with large communities in cities such as Indianapolis, New York City, and San Francisco. The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic group, have also formed communities in different places in the US, particularly in cities with large Muslim communities such as New York City, Houston, and the Washington D.C area.

The Burmese diaspora in the US faces many challenges, including economic hardship, language barriers, and cultural adjustment. Despite these challenges, however, the Burmese diaspora in the US has been incredibly resilient, forming strong communities and working to preserve their culture and traditions. Many Burmese Americans also continue to be politically active, advocating for democracy and human rights in Myanmar, and working to support organizations that assist refugees and other displaced people in Myanmar.

Overall, the Burmese diaspora in the US is a diverse and growing community that has settled in many different locations across the country. While the Bamar tend to reside in specific neighborhoods within major cities, ethnic minorities such as Karen, Chin, and Rohingya have formed communities in different places in the US. These communities face many challenges, but continue to be resilient and are working to preserve their culture and traditions while advocating for democracy and human rights in Myanmar.