AIISF Newsletter / October 2021
A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director
In addition to October being the month when we celebrate Filipino American Heritage Month, National Coming Out Day, and the return of pumpkin spice flavored foods and beverages, there are a few exciting AIISF updates that I want to share.
First, the Angel Island Immigration Museum (AIIM) is almost --but not quite-- ready for its public opening. We have experienced a significant setback in that the elevator in the building stopped working. Until it is repaired and functional, we are not able to move forward with opening plans. We’re hoping that this does not continue to delay the opening of the building for too much longer.
Second, I am thrilled to share that AIISF has been awarded a significant two-year grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of its new Humanities in Place program. This grant will 1) partially cover the costs of renovating and updating the site’s outdoor terraces, 2) help transform three of the empty rooms in AIIM into spaces for in-person and digital storytelling and programs, 3) and allow us to grow our team to provide increased programming.
On October 24, we’ll be opening a new permanent exhibit in the former World War II Mess Hall entitled “Taken From Their Families: Japanese American Incarceration on Angel Island During World War II”. We want to thank the National Park Service's Japanese American Confinement Sites program for their ongoing support.
Finally, I hope that you’ll tune in online on October 20 for our author spotlight with Pornsak Pichetshote who wrote The Good Asian comic book series. Or join us on Angel Island on October 23 for the Del Sol Quartet’s world premiere performances of Huang Ruo’s Angel Island - Oratorio for Voices and Strings, featuring The Last Hoisan Poets.
Wishing you all health and safety,
Edward Tepporn
AIISF Executive Director
San Jose Apology Resolution
AIISF had the opportunity to attend last week's ceremony where San Jose elected officials apologized for the historical discrimination and racism committed against Chinese immigrants. Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee (the organization that eventually evolved into AIISF) Co-Founder Connie Young Yu and former AIISF board member Gerrye Wong were two key leaders in this effort. See Gerry's article below for more about the event.
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By Gerrye Wong via Dingdingtv.com
The City of San Jose heralded a momentous day for the Chinese community when it was announced that the San Jose City Council had adopted a Resolution of Apology for past unjust actions the city had enacted against the immigrant Chinese communities from 1866 through the turn of the century. Instigated by Councilman Raul Peralez, the resolution text had been drafted through the Office of Racial Equity representative Christopher Cambiese, Immigrant Affairs Manager, and community citizens Connie Young Yu and Gerrye Wong. They all admitted this resolution was long overdue and commended the adoption action by the Council on September 28. Connie Young Yu and Gerrye Wong spoke before the City Council asking for their consideration in the adoption, telling of their own family experiences of discrimination and wrongdoings by the city laws. The City Council, under the leadership of Mayor Sam Liccardo, voted unanimously on the adoption.
You can read more about the September 29th event here.
AIIM Exhibit Preview
In September, we welcomed the Senthilnathan family, Erica Alfaro, Thuy Vu, and Ra'ed Elmurib to the Angel Island Immigration Museum. We are proud to have their personal stories featured in the museum's exhibitions. Thuy Vu recently expressed what this moment meant to her.
"Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine my family would be in a museum. We came to America as refugees at the end of the Vietnam War, and we’re honored to have our story be featured among the exhibits at the Angel Island Immigration Museum... This next chapter of our collective immigration story is just beginning."
The Senthilnathan family in AIIM's Opening Doors exhibit
Erica Alfaro in AIIM's In the Shadows exhibit
Thuy Vu and family in AIIM's Opening Doors exhibit
Chilean immigrant Isabel Allende tells shares her story in AIISF's Immigrant Voices, "The Unexpected Immigrant."
Now Available: The Angel Island App
Getting around Angel Island just got a lot easier. Our friends at the Angel Island Conservancy have developed an app that will help you identify the flora, fauna, and buildings you’ll find on Angel Island. Click the link below to download the app to your smart device before you visit. The San Francisco Gate also reviewed the app in a recent article by Tessa McLean.
Upcoming Programs
Author Spotlight with Pornsak Pichetshote
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 / Online
5 pm Pacific / 8 pm Eastern / FREE
Click here for tickets
The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation will be hosting an online event with comic and TV writer Pornsak Pichetshote. We will discuss his work on the comic book THE GOOD ASIAN and take questions from the audience. We hope to see you on October 22nd!
About the Comic
THE GOOD ASIAN is Chinatown noir starring the first generation of Americans to come of age under an immigration ban, the Chinese, as they’re besieged by rampant murders, abusive police, and a world that seemingly never changes.
About the Author
Pornsak Pichetshote is a Thai-American writer of comics and TV. His comic book series INFIDEL has been listed on NPR’s Best Horror Stories of all Time, featured on 20+ Best of the Year lists (including NPR, Barnes & Noble, Huffington Post & The Hollywood Reporter), and optioned for a feature film by Sugar23 and Tristar Pictures.
Zoom details will be provided after registering for the event.
World Premiere of Angel Island - Oratorio
Saturday, October 23, 2021 / In-person
11:30 am - 1 pm; 2 pm - 3:30 pm / $45-55
Location: Angel Island Immigration Station
Click here for tickets
Enjoy an outdoor performance of the new oratorio, where Volti and Del Sol Quartet brings poems to life in the very space they were created. Composed by Huang Ruo, the 60-minute oratorio for string quartet and chamber choir will weave a story of immigration, discrimination, and confinement - bringing history into the reality of our current lives.
Performers include Volti & Del Sol Quartet, with a talk by Edward Tepporn (Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation) and The Last Hoisan Poets. A special photography and historical exhibit will be installed inside the Angel Island Immigration Station. Tickets include admission to the immigration station.
This event is organized by the Del Sol Performing Arts Organization. For more details about this event, please visit their website.
Community Events
U.S. Premiere of 'The Six'
Immigration Film Fest, Online/In-person
Saturday, October 16, 2021
2:45 pm - 5:30 pm / $10-50
Click here for tickets
In an epic journey that crosses continents, The Six follows an international team of investigators as they set out to uncover the truth about the six Chinese, and to right a century-old injustice. For the first time, they discover who these men really were, tracing their origins and tracking down descendants denied access to their history.
Former AIISF staff Grant Din served as part of the research team for the film.