Page 12 n THE ASIAN REPORTER
Asian Heritage Issue
May 2, 2022
The Immigrant Story highlights “I Am an American”
events and more during Asian Heritage Month
The Immigrant Story (TIS), in observance and celebra-
tion of Asian Heritage Month, is presenting events and
highlighting its work during the month of May. Featured
content includes an evening of music and live storytelling,
an exhibit, storytelling podcasts, and more.
“I Am an American Live”
“I Am an American Live” takes place Friday, May 6 from
7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Patricia Reser Center for the
Arts. The in-person event features pan-Asian music that
combines sounds from Asia with western harmonies
performed by local musicians trained in a variety of
traditions. The music, composed and arranged by Indian
film music composer Balamurali Balu, aims to represent
some of the many strands of Asian musical traditions and
showcase what the Asian community brings to America.
Speakers with roots from across Asia follow the
performance. The diverse storytellers will talk about their
lived experiences exploring what it means to belong in
America, even when being partially erased and, at times,
excluded. The stories seek to inform attendees about im-
portant aspects of our past, both as a state and nation, and
offer an opportunity for reflection on our collective history.
One of the featured storytellers is Liani Reeves, the first
Asian-American president of the Oregon State Bar. “As
international adoptees, our stories are often missing from
the immigration narrative,” Reeves said. “I am honored to
have the opportunity to tell my story as an involuntary
immigrant who has faced complex issues of identity and
belonging on the path to becoming an American.”
Admission to “I Am an American Live” is free. The
Patricia Reser Center for the Arts is located at 12625 S.W.
Crescent Street in Beaverton, Oregon. To reserve tickets,
please visit <https://secure.thereser.org/67/112>.
“I Am an American” exhibit
The “I Am an American: Stories of Exclusion and
Belonging” exhibit, which focuses on six Asian-American
women, is already open and available to view in northwest
Portland. It focuses on different facets of the Asian-
American experience, from the endurance of many layers
DYNAMIC STORYTELLING. The Immigrant Story is presenting
events and highlighting its work in observance of Asian Heritage Month.
Pictured is Liani Reeves (left photo), the first Asian-American president of
the Oregon State Bar, whose story is told as part of “I Am an American.”
The photo to the right shows handwritten testimony by Reeves about the
object next to it — little pink pajamas worn by Reeves when she was an
orphan. (Photos courtesy of The Immigrant Story)
of adversity to the strength revealed by a person who has
decided precisely who to become.
To create the display, TIS teamed up with photographer
Jim Lommasson and his “What We Carried” project in
collaboration with conceptual artist Roberta Wong.
Wong, a veteran artist, grew up in Portland. Over
several decades, she has created thought-provoking
conceptual art focused on themes such as identity,
ethnicity, ritual, and transformation.
Lommasson’s work focuses on objects immigrants were
able to carry with them on their journeys. From the photo-
grapher’s images of the objects, participants provided
handwritten testimonies — stories, memories, poems,
drawings. The objects, portraits, and narratives connect
viewers with their thoughts, joys, and fears and shine a
light on different perspectives of the Asian experience.
The title of the exhibit was chosen to bring attention to
the 80 years since the U.S. federal government confiscated
property and sent more than 100,000 Japanese
Americans to internment camps in the early days of World
War II. The same phrase, “I Am an American,” has become
a rallying cry for all Asian Americans.
The “I Am an American” exhibit is on view Monday
through Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm at PLACE,
located at 735 N.W. 18th Avenue in Portland. For more
information,
visit
<www.theimmigrantstory.org/
i-am-an-american-exhibition>. To schedule a viewing
appointment, e-mail <place@place.la>.
Website & podcast
The body of work created by TIS’s writers and content
creators is available online. The organization has shared
the stories of immigrants from six dozen countries, about
40 percent of whom were refugees, including 41 survivors
who faced genocide, the atrocities of war, and the
Holocaust. On October 29, 2021, the group published its
200th story.
Just a few of the many posts include “Exploring
Heritage Through Music,” about Keiko Araki; “Em-
Continued on page 16
Where do you
explore?
Access nature in all of its
wonder. From our parks
and natural areas, to your
neighborhood or backyard.
Enjoy these activities anywhere!
oregonmetro.gov/parks
Parks and nature
Arts and events
Garbage and recycling
Land and transportation
Oregon Zoo