Thursday, February, 26th , 2008.
Migrant workers do not stop their work when the weather turns harsh—like them, we are still on for this evening!
The Gerald H. Read Distinguished lecture Series will feature Growing Season: The Life of a Migrant Community and its Educational Implications, tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the KIVA.
David Hassler and Gary Harwood, and the panel of educators will be there to inform and to inspire you with the story of the Hartville migrant community ... warm your heart with stories of family, coming together, hope for the future, and photos that will tell a story beyond the words that you will hear. ...
Linda Robertson
This book is really inspiring. It is an attribute to human change. It is a life culturing. It is an outreach activity. It is voices of a village. It documents knowledge, inspiration, award, inspiration... it is a story telling to celebrate.
It took the David Hassler seven years to collect the data needed, including a series of photos and a long journey to take to have the actual book. The journey was more than five stages to get to self-satisfaction and more inspiration. He struggle hard to get a place in the Mexican community. Though this physical existence, he tried to get personal integration in the community by making different acquaintances. It is so hard to the community to accept a stranger to take photos. They are afraid of being arrested by the police as coming illegally to the land. He got to have permission to the farm to a witness of the community daily life. He consider 6:30 to 7 a.m. as the most hectic and lively time. They are getting ready to go to the farm, getting the kids ready for school. They excel to decorate their hats with flowers and ribbons. Their hands reveal their endeavour to achieve well in the farm. The author took tough decision to look for self-integration. He tried to learn their language, shop in the same area. There was too much pressure on him to leave their vicinity.
However, here came the opportunity for him when he was invited to a wedding party. It was a good step to move from personal access to the family household. This stage led him to get more involved in their in their life. He was asked to take picture during the ceremony. There were seven camps to explore to dig out the cultural components of the community.
After the wedding party, he was introduced in the medical facilities, school, church and their birthday parties. What is surprising enough is the great number of people attending each ceremony of birthday. Everybody has to wash up and gets dressed up. They have a great fun and women, men, and children have their gathering to concentrate on their own affairs.
Indeed, there was a lot of patience, endeavour, tolerance and sacrifice to bring this story the front pages. It is extremely rich and enriching of acculturation. Gary Harwood interviewed member of the community to give more life and enrichment to the photos depicted by Divid Hassler. I was able to write down some of their conversation during the conference:
Father to his daugther who was intending to get married: ' Are you sure you want to that? if not, just turn down and way away'
Lovely quote and meaningful cultural implications can be deduced?
No comments:
Post a Comment