Smithsonian Commemorates KA Centennial
Seeking wealth and fortune, the first Korean immigrants who landed on the shores of Hawai‘i found themselves laborers on sugar cane plantations, facing many hardships in their new world. Over the next 100 years, the Korean American community has blossomed into a population of over 1 million that has contributed vastly to American society in art, literature and politics.
In commemoration of the 100-year anniversary of Korean immigration, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program will present a series of monthly events throughout 2003. Free lectures, performances and dialogues at the Smithsonian will highlight the contributions that Korean Americans have made during the past century.
This celebration would not have been possible without the efforts of the Asian Pacific American Program in the Smithsonian. Norman Mineta, then vice president of Lockheed Martin, Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-HI, and an advisory board helped establish the APA program at the Smithsonian in July 1997. The board commissioned Franklin Odo, a professor of Asian American Studies with 30 years of experience, to create a program that would reach out and connect the major diverse APA communities.
Said Odo: “At this point, we need to be working with 40 to 50 ethnic groups and the basic approach is to reach each one independently and show them that the Smithsonian is interested in their culture and heritage.”
In the spring of 2000, Odo was encouraged by the Korean Embassy to create a program for the Korean centennial. He recruited journalist Terry Hong and several interns and began to work to fundraise and coordinate events for a sustained, monthly discussion to educate the public about the Korean immigration experience.
Odo and Hong decided to focus on the bi-cultural experience of the Korean American. Instead of rendering the experience as one that is purely “Korean,” the Korean centennial hopes to focus on the “hybrid product,” Hong points out. Without ignoring the similar APA immigration experiences of Chinese, Filipinos or Japanese, the Korean centennial will express how both the Asian and American experience converge and create a unique voice and history.
“The whole history until 1965 over six decades is similar to Chinese, Japanese and Filipino,” Odo comments. “They were subjected to the same laws, discrimination, oppression and working conditions [but] there have been lots of accomplishments and Korean Americans have done extraordinary work as journalists, artists, actors, filmmakers, writers and martial artists.”
Hong agrees that this year’s centennial celebration will be important for the community and especially important for children. “Having something happen in the Smithsonian, having endorsement, support and recognition is important in building their self-esteem and sense of history and a sense of entitlement,” Hong said. She adds, “Entitlement should belong to everyone.”
Highlights from the Smithsonian Centennial Celebration:
Jan. 16 – May 31
Photography exhibit
An exhibit of photographs will be on view at the National Museum of Natural History, documenting the U.S.-Korean contacts that led to the first Korean immigration in 1903, as well as the history and achievements of Korean Americans from their arrival in the United States to the present.
March 13
Film and television discussion
Actors Soon Tek Oh (M*A*S*H*, Mulan, East of Eden) and Sandra Oh (Double Happiness, Arli$$, Barrier Device) will discuss the changing face of multicultural American media, the struggle for more positive roles for Asian Pacific Americans, and gaining greater control of how Korean Americans are represented in film and television.
June 14
Tae Kwon Do
Jhoon Rhee, one of the most influential innovators to bring martial arts to the American public, will offer a history of tae kwon do, followed by a demonstration of the sport.
Aug. 15
Religion dialogue
Sang Jin Choi, the only Korean pastor in Washington to work with homeless African Americans; Sang Park, an attorney who is a church elder in the largest Korean church in northern Virginia; and Professor Kyeyoung Park, an anthropologist from the University of California, Los Angeles, will explore why Korean churches have virtually exploded in numbers to become a vibrant presence in most major cities throughout the country.
Oct. 30, Nov. 6-7
Modern dance
Renowned modern dancer Dana Tai Soon Burgess, in conjunction with his company Moving Forward, will present the world premiere of a Smithsonian-commissioned piece.
For a complete listing of Smithsonian events call 202-357-2449 or go to www.apa.si.edu.
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