I am fascinated that one would teach immigration via the Ellis Island
experience. First of all, only a portion of the poorest European immigrants
came through Ellis Islands (those not in steerage disembarked at Castle
Island) and Ellis Island immigrants are not a representative sample of
immigrants that came/come to America. Secondly, Ellis Island has not
functioned as an immigrant center since 1954 (I believe). Thirdly, Asian
immigrants from the 19th and early 20th century came through Angel Island,
on the West Coast, not Ellis Island. Fourth, enslaved Africans (perhaps the
single largest immigrant group up to the end of the 19th century) came
through ports such as Charleston, not Ellis Island. Fifth modern immigrants
come by air (in most cases) and not by ship. Sixth, El Paso and the San
Diego area of the U.S./Mexican border are among the most significant entry
points of current immigrants traveling by land.

In short, the presentation of the Ellis Island experience as the
quintessential immigrant experience is, besides its sentimentality and
treacle quality, so unrepresentative of the actualities of immigration that
it verges on misinformation. The potential of building a Eurocentric vision
of immigration and reinforcing centuries-old prejudices of native-born
Americans towards non-white immigrants is so obvious in this type of
presentation that I am surprised that a museum would even sponsor such a
mis-education of Davenport's youth.
Cheers, -Nicholas

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf
Of Christina Myatt
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 1:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Teaching about Immigration

> David,
>
> We do a full immersion immigration program.  As a previsit, classes
> fill out
> a manifest form and assume a "character" coming to America.  When
> they
> arrive at the museum (as if they are stepping off the boat at Ellis
> Island),
> they are met by an immigration officer (a costumed museum theatre
> interpreter) and then are put through a mock physical and legal
> examination.
>  The experience culminates with first person retellings of the
> stories of
> the major immigrant groups to our area.
>
> I have a book list and sample activities that I would be happy to
> share if
> you want to contact me off list.
>
> For this experience, it is a great way for the students to experience
> the
> fears and unknown of our country's immigrants.  I think one of the
> great
> activities and things to stress is the fact that you could only bring
> limited items with you.  In our material age, what would you bring if
> limited to x number of items?  What things would be most important to
> you
> and most necessary.  (Note: This activity is also wonderful in
> thinking
> about westward expansion.
>
> Christina
> Christina M. Myatt
> Theatrical Programming Coordinator
> Putnam Museum
> 1717 West 12th Street
> Davenport IA 52804
> 563.324.1054 ext. 207 (phone)
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Lynx <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 16:03:09 -0700
> Subject: Teaching about Immigration
>
> > I am partnering with a local school next year to develop a lesson
> > plan
> > around immigration. The students will work on a final project about
> > an
> > ancestor in their past, or one chosen from a list.
> >
> > I was wondering what other educators have done this, and if there
> are
> > videos/books etc on helping students to understand and research
> > immigration.
> >
> > Thanks
> > David Lynx, Curator or Education
> > Yakima Valley Museum
> >
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