Preserving History and Culture
Most immigrants try to keep some of their cultural traditions. A community center can help them do this. A community center is a place for immigrants to spend time together. They can watch movies or listen to music from their homelands. They can share news about their homelands or celebrate ethnic holidays.
Many cities have ethnic museums or theaters. They give immigrant groups a way to preserve and celebrate their cultures and histories. They also give other members of the public a way to learn about other cultures.
Some cities have tours that celebrate the heritages of immigrant groups. Miami has tours that help visitors learn about Cuban culture and history. The visitors see museums, art galleries, and monuments on Cuban Memorial Boulevard.
Bookstores also help immigrants stay connected to their homelands. A Hmong couple opened a bookstore in St. Paul, Minnesota. Their store sells books about the Hmong culture and history. It also sells Hmong crafts, such as special cloths, dolls, and clothing. The store helps Hmong immigrants to pass their traditions and history to their children.
Many immigrant groups have created Web sites on the Internet. Here, people can find information about cultural events and organizations. They can hear news about what is happening in the countries they left. Young people can learn about the cultures and traditions of their people.
The Hmong are well known for their beautiful textile art. Hmong immigrants have brought their art with them to the U.S. Each design is original. It either tells a story or uses images to represent certain Hmong beliefs. The skills needed to make these difficult designs are taught to new generations by women in the families. Today, the Hmong people sell their art at craft fairs.
