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LEWISTON — As local and national debates on immigration continue, a group of community partners in Lewiston and Auburn are working on a program encouraging conversation, celebration, and understanding. Museum L-A applied and was selected as one of 32 sites across 24 states to host this program series.
All events will be free and open to the public.
Becoming American is a public program featuring films, discussions and a wide variety of events across the twin cities. The program is spearheaded by Museum L-A, and the growing list of community partners currently includes Auburn Public Library, Bates College, City of Auburn, City of Lewiston, Edward Little High School, First Universalist Church of Auburn, Gendron Franco Center, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, L/A Arts, Lewiston Public Library, Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services, Maine Immigrant Resource Center, Tree Street Youth, and the YWCA of Central Maine.
“Our goal for Becoming American is just to get people talking with their neighbors,” says Kate Webber, director of education and outreach at Museum L-A. “We want this to reach everyone in the community, so we’re bringing people together for big, fun events with music, food, theater and art.”
The group of community partners is seeking sponsors, volunteers and organizational partners. If you or an organization you know would be interested in helping with this effort, contact Kate Webber at kwebber@museumla.org or 207-333-3881.
The program will run from September to November 2018, starting with the kickoff film event at the Franco Center at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11. In addition to six screenings of documentary films, there will be a wide range of programs including art shows, concerts, book groups, lectures, and youth-led events to share immigration stories and experiences. The full event schedule will be available on the Museum L-A website.
From the mid-1800s to mid-1900s, thousands of immigrants moved to Lewiston and Auburn to support their families with jobs in the textile mills, shoe factories, and other growing businesses. They came from Ireland, Canada, Greece, Lithuania, and other parts of the world. Things were not easy for them. Many groups faced discrimination, economic insecurity and even violence. This history is often overlooked in contemporary discussion on the role of immigration in the twin cities.
What can you expect at the film events? Each of the six programs offers an hour-long film with a different story about immigration — from “Welcome To Shelbyville,” a documentary that follows Somali refugees working in a Tennessee meat-packing plant, to “The Search for General Tso,” a film that poses the question, “If Chinese Americans comprise only 1% of the U.S. population, why are there Chinese restaurants in almost every city across America?”
Following each film there will be a moderated discussion for participants to process the movie, ask questions and share thoughts. People are welcome to talk or just listen. Two prominent local scholars will moderate the programs — Reza Jelali of University of Southern Maine and Andrew Baker of Bates College.
Becoming American is a project of City Lore in collaboration with the Immigration and Ethnic History Society and the International Coalition of the Sites of Conscience. The project has been made possible in part by a $1,300 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
Museum L-A is in the Bates Mill Complex at 35 Canal St. For more information, contact info@museumla.org or call 207-333-3881.
