Registration for this course is now closed.
*** This class is in-person at the Presidio ***
Explore Angel Island history through stories, poetry, and music at this in-person outdoor/ indoor event at the Presidio.
Between 1910 and 1940, as new immigrants flowed through the immigration station on Angel Island inside the San Francisco Bay, Chinese immigrants faced massive discrimination because of America’s earliest racist immigration legislation – the Chinese Exclusion Act. Being held for sometimes up to years in brutal conditions at the detention center, many of these immigrants looked for solace by inscribing poetry onto the walls of the center.
Participants will learn about the historic poems carved into the walls of the detention barracks, as well as the experiences of Chinese immigrants on Angel Island, through primary documents and personal stories.
Led by Angel Island descendant Andi Wong, “Angel Island Insight" brings to life the compelling tale of community resolve and collective advocacy that preserved American history on Angel Island.
Participants will experience the musicality of Hoisan-wa, the original dialect spoken by the Chinese immigrants, and enjoy a musical performance by the Del Sol Quartet, who will speak about the process of creating a brand new work of art inspired by Angel Island history.
We plan to meet at the Temporary Presidio Transit Center (which is across the Main Post lawn from the Disney Museum) to the Presidio Theater. The walking distance is 0.3 miles - mostly flat - a 7 minute walk. Specific location info will be distributed to registrants.
This location will give the participants a clear view of Angel Island. We will gather outside here to start and then walk up to the theatre.
