3/20/2018 0 Comments Tuesday, March 20-Immigration TourAuthors: Andy Zheng, Patricia Chen, Mimi Chung Today we got the chance to learn more about historical immigration and healthcare practices in Philly. We spent the day on the immigration tour, stopping by historical taverns, museums, churches and other relevant landmarks. The first museum we visited was the Independence Seaport Museum. The museum had exhibits on the formation of the US Navy, shipbuilding, and perhaps most interestingly, the forced immigration of slaves. We gained perspective on the slave trade and the subsequent effects of discrimination, especially the formation of Jim Crow laws following Reconstruction until the Civil Rights Movement. One of the most powerful displays was a story about an 18-year-old slave girl who escaped through the Underground Railroad in a cargo box. A reconstruction of this box allowed us to physically experience the claustrophobic environment she was subjected to, enabling us to imagine the hardships she endured in the eighteen fearful hours until she could reach the free state of Pennsylvania. Another compelling exhibit dealt with the slave auction. Visitors were invited to stand on a mock platform that reflected how slaves were bought and sold on the port. The only way to hear the audio recording was to stand in the footprints on the platform. Despite the fact that no one was around, it felt extremely uncomfortable and dehumanizing to be presented as nothing but a product. We couldn't imagine how confused and scared the slaves were, not understanding the language or what the future held for them and their family.
After leaving the museum, we visited the first Catholic church in Philadelphia, a city originally settled by Protestant Quakers. This reinforced how important religious communities can be for new immigrants to assimilate to their new country - which reminded us of Merthus's similar experiences with his faith. The next museum, involving Polish American immigration, highlighted unique aspects of the Polish culture, like folk art, and Polish immigration to America. One interesting fact was that Polish immigrants first arrived in 1608 to Jamestown, much earlier than conventional understanding of Eastern European immigration to the US. Then, we were able to experience Philly's signature food item, the Philly cheesesteak! After lunch, we visited the Mütter museum, which was founded by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia by Thomas Mütter to express the oddities of the human body. There were fascinating exhibits of every organ and their possible pathologies. They had many exciting authentic artifacts and model recreations on display including the skeleton of the second tallest man in the world. There was also a cast made of a pair of conjoined twins who were mainly connected through their liver. The museum was an interesting perspective on medical history and how much healthcare has evolved. Thanks for tuning in. Tomorrow we're likely to be snowed inside.
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