The New-York Historical Society

New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street)
New York, NY 10024

Phone (212) 873-3400

I was able to catch several fascinating exhibits:

• A Brief History of New York: Selections from A History of New York in 101 Objects;
• Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage: “Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage charts a new direction for one of America’s best-known living photographers. Unlike her staged and carefully lit portraits made on assignment for magazines and advertising clients, the photographs in this exhibition were taken simply because Leibovitz was moved by the subject. The images speak in a commonplace language to the photographer’s curiosity about the world she inherited, spanning landscapes both dramatic and quiet, interiors of living rooms and bedrooms, and objects that are talismans of past lives;”
• Chinese American: Exclusion/Inclusion shared below;

What makes an American?

America is a nation of immigrants; each group makes its brave journey of sacrifice to an unseen land and manages to meld and lend another flavor to our country. It has never been easy. Often groups weren’t welcome: They caused suspicion, fear, jealousy that subsequently caused laws to change. The pendulum swung in both directions, back and forth, welcome, unwelcome, and back again. But, we are more alike than we are different.

The immigration of the Chinese adds to the history of our nation. It is always the same yet different; sacrifice, loneliness, isolation, the advent of laws and their repeal.

Against the background of the history of the mass immigration is the history of a family. We get to know them on a more personal level and follow their journey into acculturation.

The Immigrants

There was a time when Chinese immigrants were interrogated and isolated. They lived for months into years removed from society with their meager belongings.

 

Imagine the blind fear and racism that took place.

 

 

 The Chinese supported the Jews in need in Europe during WWII via theater performances. People in need understand one another.

 

 

 

on to The Bronx HS of Science …

and graduation

 

Years later, I, a third generation American, attended my son’s graduation. He also attended the Bronx High School of Science. And so it goes.