TRADING TRADITIONS: CALIFORNIA’S NEW CULTURES

January 19– April 6, 2008
TRADING TRADITIONS: CALIFORNIA’S NEW CULTURES
Great Hall Low Bay
Presented by the History Department

Return to exhibit page.

Dancing rabbis Daniel Silverman and Yitzchok Kaye, Chanukah, Oakland.

Trading Traditions Visitor Response Center

One of the many special features of this Bay Area community exhibition is a Visitor Response Center which includes three questions. Among the hundreds of comments, here's what some of your neighbors said:

Why did you come to California?

"My grandparents came from the Azore Islands, Lithuania, France and Sweden. We moved here to stop from going to Siberia."

"To pursue personal freedom."

"From Korea, to pursue the American Dream...which is just a dream..."

"My family emigrated from Sweden and Scotland. We are proud of our heritage there, and we love the U.S. and all we stand for— freedom."

"For: Pacific Ocean grace
Metropolitan place
Outdoor space
Diversity to trace
Not commonplace"

How does your family celebrate?

"What a fun exhibit! Along with all families, our family celebrates birthdays. I was surprised to not see a birthday or saint's day here. We also celebrate winter solstice, Xmas, New Year's Eve, Chanukah, Seder, Easter and Days of the Dead. Oh, and Thanksgiving - try to do that every day."

"My blended mixed crazy family celebrates 12th Night with an all-night party of food, drinks, games and a gift exchange. We have a king or queen each year who gets to choose the theme for next year's party. It's great fun and the focal point of our year."

"I celebrate Father's Day - me and my Dad go to a car show."

"We celebrate Shabbat (Jewish sabbath) every Friday night through Saturday sundown. It's a joyous, restful, music, family and friends' time with dancing, prayer and delicious food."

"My family celebrates with southern foods, grown on our own land. We gather outside and harvest together, then the food is cooked."

Here is a quote from writer James Baldwin. What do you think?

"I want American history taught. Unless I’m in that book, you’re not in it either. History is not a procession of illustrious people. It’s about what happens to a people. Millions of anonymous people is what history is about...."

"I understand what Mr.Baldwin is trying to say - it's the collective experience that makes and defines history."

"Everyone's story creates the chapters of the book we all live in. The book's incomplete without all of its chapters."

"History is written by the people who rule and tends to ignore the stories of the oppressed."

"Without all the anonymous people, progress would not be made (no wealth that gives possibility for progress.) Anonymous people marched in Selma, in Birmingham, in Delano! Anonymous people vote!"

"History was written by the people who had the strength to stand up and do something good (or bad), make a mark; make a difference."

...and some unexpected responses:

"I would have liked to know the sources in the soundtrack."

"I think the exhibit is cool, after all. I thought it was going to be hecka boring."

Phramaha Singho Punnamedho receives New Year offerings, Thai New Year, Fremont.

"This is a fabulous exhibit. I wish there were some way to make it permanent here, even if on a smaller scale."

"It was good but it could be better."

"I liked when we dressed up in them costumes, that was awesome, dude."

"I see my people's culture."

Experience Trading Traditions: California's New Cultures! Engage with images located in the exhibition, try on representative Russian, Nigerian, Mexican and Chinese (and other cultures') clothing, read multicultural books, engage in drawing activities, relax in the zÒcalo while examining beautiful textiles, see map projections and hear music...but mostly—come to have fun!

Photos by Lonny Shavelson, from the book Under the Dragon (Heyday Books)


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