Source:
Mercury NewsLong-awaited "Little Saigon'' banners were unfurled Saturday over the sidewalks and traffic of San Jose's Story Road, ending a contentious effort by the city's South Vietnamese community to name the business district after their fallen former capital.
The installation of the 18 colorful banners was celebrated with speeches and song by a crowd of hundreds of Vietnamese, political exiles who have formed one of the largest expatriate enclaves in the nation. The banners — privately funded, but sanctioned by City Hall after a year of protests, petition drives and combative meetings — have become a symbol of newfound freedom to those who fled their country after a long and losing war against the Communists.
"What these banners symbolize is that they've arrived,'' said San Jose Vice Mayor David Cortese, wearing a Vietnam Republic flag-themed tie, decorated with three red stripes on a yellow field. "After three decades, they've established themselves here and re-established their values — freedom, human rights, democracy, capitalism and basic family values."
The design of the banners was agreed upon in negotiations between the Vietnamese community and the city attorney's office, he said. A prominently featured Vietnam Republic flag was toned down, he said. An image of City Hall's Rotunda was added.
Read more:
http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_10700092
I have mixed feelings about this.
I think America's ethnic enclaves are one of the most interesting and educational aspects of our melting pot.
On the other hand, I don't want to see another "South Florida" situation where a community is basically a revenge machine that ultimately affects politics and society in a negative way.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
