AIISF Newsletter / November 2023
A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director
Last month, our friends and colleagues at the Wing Luke Museum were the targets of a violent anti-Asian attack. While spewing out racist slurs, a man used a sledgehammer to break the front windows of the museum. All but one of the twelve windows were shattered, resulting in thousands of dollars of damage. This is yet another example of the hatred and discrimination that has been growing like a plague in communities across the country.
I’ve admired how the Wing Luke and their Executive Director Joël Tan have responded to the incident by calling for a “renewed and reinvigorated sense of solidarity.” AIISF proudly stands in lockstep solidarity with the Wing Luke Museum.
Similar to the rise in anti-Asian racism and xenophobia, there has been a marked increase in antisemitism in recent years. The Anti-Defamation League released a report earlier this year indicating that antisemitic incidents are at the highest level since the organization began collecting data in 1979. The Council of American Jewish Museums (CAJM) recently invited AIISF to serve on an advisory board for an upcoming summit on antisemitism hosted by CAJM, the Institute for Museum and Library Services, and the White House. AIISF is also honored to serve on the program committee for CAJM’s annual conference for the second year in a row.
We are excited to participate in the Poston Pilgrimage taking place in Arizona later this month. Approximately 18,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II at the Poston Incarceration Camp. In addition to an educational session presented by AIISF consultant (and former staff member) Grant Din, we will be installing a pop-up version of our Taken From Their Families exhibit about the 700 Japanese Americans temporarily incarcerated on Angel Island during WWII.
October is National Filipino American History Month, National German American Heritage Month, National Italian American Heritage Month, and National LGBT History Month. We look forward to continuing to explore how we can build stronger connections between these communities and Angel Island.
In solidarity,
Edward Tepporn
AIISF Executive Director
Upcoming Fall Events
Author Spotlight: Carol Roh Spaulding
Wednesday, November 15 | 5:00 pm PST | On Zoom
Join us as we welcome author Carol Roh Spaulding for a virtual discussion about her new collection, Waiting for Mr. Kim and Other Stories.
This collection of linked stories follows four generations of the Songs, a Korean American family, beginning in 1924 just prior to the Immigration Act and extending to near the end of the century.
Immigration Stories Told From Angel Island State Park
Thursday, November 16 | 1:00 pm PST | On Zoom
Can’t make it to Angel Island in person? Join Angel Island State Park on a virtual tour of the Detention Barracks Museum. Park interpreters will be highlighting the stories of select immigrants who journeyed through Angel Island and explore how their experiences differed.
For Teachers: You are welcome to share this webinar-styled program in your classroom!
Angel Island Photography Tour with Looking Glass Photo
Sunday, October 15 | 11:00 am | Angel Island
Join AIISF and Looking Glass Photo on Sunday, October 15th, for a photography adventure on Angel Island. Capture the island's beauty and learn about the history of the Immigration Station on a tour starting at 11:00 am at the Angel Island ferry landing (ferry tickets not included).
Author Spotlight: Curtis Chin
Wednesday, December 6 | 6:00 pm PST | On Zoom
Join us for a virtual discussion with author Curtis Chin about his new memoir, Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.
This “vivid, moving, funny, and heartfelt” memoir tells the story of Curtis Chin’s time growing up as a gay Chinese American kid in 1980’s Detroit
New Exhibit + Vault Blog Post
Paper Son Soldiers
USS Hornet Museum
Opening Saturday, November 11th
AIISF is the community sponsor for a new exhibit that tells the story of two brothers, Benson and Richard Wong, whose journey through Angel Island and enlistment in the US military demonstrate the commitment and sacrifice Chinese Immigrants made to America during WWII.
"Paper Son Soldiers" is part of the exhibit "Land of Promise, Life of Duty," which honors the contributions of Asian Americans to the US military.
Both exhibits will be on view during the USS Hornet's Veterans Day event from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Learn more about "Paper Son Soldiers" on our Vault blog here.
