Friday, July 30, 2010

On Latinos in Twilight Country: Gente sin fronteras

 
For many readers, the bestseller Twilight has put Forks, Washington, on the map. The Northwest Washington Coast may seem a great place to find vampires, so isolated, so out of the mainstream. If you live in Washington State as I do, when I think of Forks, I think of loggers, more than 100 inches of rain, and several coastal Indian tribes, one of which has the distinction of having seen the establishment of the first Baha'i local assembly on an Indian reservation (Makah Reservation) in this country..  
 
Forks may be isolated, and just about as far from the Southern border of the United States as you can get, but, surprisingly, it has been a place where many immigrants from South of the border have found home. The Olympic Peninsula Community Musuem has an beautiful online exhibit on the subject.
 
God continues to stir up His pot. It's a rich stew He's making for us all to enjoy. -gw

The West End of the Olympic Peninsula is one of diverse cultures. Over the last 25 years, Forks has seen a new group of immigrants come to the area and shape the culture here. Individuals and families from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador have been moving to the peninsula in search of opportunities for work and education. ...

Latinos are a strong part of the community in Forks. There has been much intertwining of the American and Latino cultures, with many locals learning Spanish and the growth of English as a Second Language classes in the community. On Saturday nights, Spanish music groups play music until late in the evening with many people, Latino and non-Latino, dancing the night away. Celebrations for Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day happen almost every year.

 
 
Thanks, Canadian friend for Museum link. -gw

Posted via email from Baha'i Views

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