Fresno event aims to ‘lift up’ cultures
Interfaith Alliance marks the Fourth with diversity celebration.
By Tracy Correa / The Fresno Bee
07/04/08 22:55:38
The Fourth of July was about a lot more than red, white and blue in O’Neill
Park at Fresno State.
There were Lao dancers in gowns that could have been sewn from a rainbow,
Sikh men in turbans, Aztec dancers, a Native American flutist.
All took part in the 11th annual "Celebration of our Diversity," organized by
the Interfaith Alliance of Central California, as an American flag waved in
the background.
"This is a Fourth of July celebration to show our patriotism by showing our
welcoming of one another," said the Rev. Bryan Jessup, one of the
celebration’s founders.
Organizers said about 300 people attended Friday’s event to enjoy
performances, food, music and art.
The central San Joaquin Valley’s ethnic diversity was well-represented.
Nothing could be more patriotic than bringing together all the types of people
who make up the United States, Jessup said.
The annual event was launched more than a decade ago after organizers of the
Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast sent ticketholders a letter that stated, in part:
"We believe that submission to the Lord Jesus Christ is the best way — in
fact, the only way — the people of Fresno can be effective in facing the
problems confronting our community."
The Christian prayer breakfast was "monocultural," he said. "People wanted to
lift up our various cultures," and what better day to do this than the
Fourth of July, he said.
Friday’s celebration started at 9 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and
singing of "America the Beautiful." Then came a performance by Armenian dancers,
followed by dancers from the Punjabi Sikh community and the Lao community.
Mexican songs also were performed.
Lachhman Singh, a member of the Sikh Council of Central California, has
attended the event for the past five years. He said it’s a good opportunity to
share some of his culture with others.
"We celebrate being American. We live here. We love America," Singh said.
The Rev. Natalie Chamberlain, co-chair of the event, said this celebration is
different from traditional Independence Day gatherings that typically focus
on food and fireworks.
"This is a cultural celebration of both the multiplicity and shared
humanity," she said.
There was plenty of food but no fireworks at Friday’s event, which wrapped up
at 1 p.m.
Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, a professor emeritus at Fresno State, said a
celebration that brings people from many cultures together "shows the strength
in the community."
Kathy Long-Pence, of Fresno, said she never misses this Fourth of July
celebration.
"I like being exposed to cultural dancers and music," she said. "The Armenian
dancers were very good. and even though I’ve lived here most of my life,
I’ve never seen Armenian dancers."
Best of all, Long-Pence said, with all the chaos in the world today, she
leaves the event with the feeling "that there’s hope."
The reporter can be reachedat [email protected]_
(mailto:tcorrea@fresnobee. com) or (559) 441-6378.