Kelly House
Thousands flock to Hillsboro’s annual Latino festival for a lesson in community, culture
http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2011/04/thousands_flock_to_hillsboros_annual_latino_festival_for_a_lesson_in_community_culture.html
4/17/2011
Topic: Latino culture in Hillsboro
This Sunday was Hillsboro’s annual Latino Cultural Festival. The festival’s purpose is to educate those interested in Latino culture, about the customs, traditions and valued beliefs of the Latino Community. Food, shows, art and many “culture rich” activities were around for students, parents and children to experience.
Key points: Break the barrier, immerse yourself in Latino culture.
Relevance: We recently had our culture project. I had a tough time defining the meaning of the word culture. Or identifying the culture I relate to. I have never been to this culture festival, but I am curious as to what they identify as culture, or as to what kind of information is printed on the education pamphlets. I’m not going to lie, I think many times these kinds of things reinforce stereotypes. I wonder if the information printed on the pamphlets resembles false throwaway facts, much like “George Washington cut down the cherry tree”—BOOM! American culture. Much of the culture I see is of traditional past culture. I would like to see what Latino students of today define as culture, and what they think should be included in the festival.
There was an Asian Day Festival last Saturday in Pacific University Center. This was held very year in Spring, and I had participated for two times. There were Asian food, performances from different Asian countries, and some neat handcrafts. I think it was for the non-Asian people to know more about Asian culture traditionally.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that these activities reinforce steretypes. I still remember that the Chinese professor, who was not here now, required us to do traditional performances. But most of the students did not want to do that in traditional ways, thus they lost interest in such festival. We do need to bring new stuffs in our culture, instead of repeating old traditions.
Yinyin I have been the Asian Day festivals here at Pacific a few times. To be honest I never really learn anything (new) every time I go, and I think because the same things are on display, the same foods and dances and clothing, I guess I kind of just go through the motions and don't ever "prime" myself for learning new things.
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