Becoming American is an in depth series studying the immigration experience in America. This special six -week public programming event will feature a documentary film presentation and a moderated discussion led by Bill Westerman, PhD. The series is designed to encourage an informed discussion of immigration issues set against the backdrop of our immigration history.

This important collaboration between the Folk Life Center at Perkins for the Arts and the Burlington County Library System will shed great light on the history of immigration in our country and how it had impacted the culture of our ancestors as well as the communities we live in today.

PROGRAM ONE: THE CENTURY OF IMMIGRATION: 1820-1924
September 17
-New York, A Documentary Film: Episode 4, The Power and the People and The Jewish Americans: Episode 2, A World of Their Own

PROGRAM TWO: PROMISE AND PREJUDICE
October 1
-Welcome to Shelbyville

PROGRAM THREE: BETWEEN TWO WORLDS: IDENTITY AND ACCULTURATION 
October 22
-The New Americans, Episode 1, The Nigerians

PROGRAM FOUR: HELP WANTED? IMMIGRATION AND WORK
Spring 2019
-Destination America, Episode 1, The Golden Door

PROGRAM FIVE: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
Spring 2019
-My American Girls

PROGRAM SIX: IMMIGRATION AND POPULAR CULTURE
Spring 2019
-The Search for General Tso

This program is made possible by a grant from City-Lore through the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor and in cooperation with the Perkins Center for the Arts and the Burlington County Library System.

All programs are free, open to the public and will begin at 6:30PM.

Presented by: Folk Life Center at Perkins for the Arts and BCLS
Location: Burlington County Library, Meeting Room

For further information, please contact Karen Abdul-Malik, Director, Folk Life Center at the Perkins Center for the Arts at 856 235 6488.