The Multicultural Fair has a message that there are a variety of people here in southern Oregon, and they are all pretty wonderful.
The Fair has been going on for twenty five years.
The City of Medford has a Multicultural Commission and a Multicultural Fair. It showcases and celebrates the various people, cultures, religions, music, food, clothing, dancing of southern Oregon.
The Fair has an underlying premise and value: that variety is OK, that the community is richer and better for the diversity, and that we can all get along.
That premise has critics. Trump's campaign energized a signifiant body of people who believe differences brought here by immigration are eroding American culture and changing it against the will and best interests of the majority of native born Americans. Trump--and they--say it is too much, too fast, and the wrong kinds of people from the wrong places.
The Fair celebrated everyone, which made it indirectly political because the definition of "real Americans" has become an issue in the culture war. The local Democratic Party had a booth. There was no Republican booth. The event had display tables for a variety of social services, arts groups, veterans groups, and groups with a political agenda on climate, the LNG pipeline controversy, labor laws, and immigration.
That premise has critics. Trump's campaign energized a signifiant body of people who believe differences brought here by immigration are eroding American culture and changing it against the will and best interests of the majority of native born Americans. Trump--and they--say it is too much, too fast, and the wrong kinds of people from the wrong places.
The Fair celebrated everyone, which made it indirectly political because the definition of "real Americans" has become an issue in the culture war. The local Democratic Party had a booth. There was no Republican booth. The event had display tables for a variety of social services, arts groups, veterans groups, and groups with a political agenda on climate, the LNG pipeline controversy, labor laws, and immigration.
I saw and photographed Republican Jessica Gomez and Democrat Jeff Golden, candidates for the State Senate, and Democrat Amy Thuren, a candidate for County Commissioner.
Photographs from a lovely Saturday afternoon:
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| Honor Guard |
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| Republican Candidate Jessica Gomez, multitasking |
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| Jessica Gomez--GOP candidate for State Senate |
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| Democrat Jeff Golden, with supporter |
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| Jeff Golden--Democratic candidate for State Senate |
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| Democrat Amy Thuren, with daughter |
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| Amy Thuren--Democratic candidate for County Commsr. |
Scenes from the event:
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| Oregon Shakespeare Festival |
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| Holly Theater Rebuild |
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| Bollywood style dancing on stage |
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| Master of Ceremonies |
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| Political Tee Shirts for sale |
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| Choose Christ or Hell |
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| Library outreach |
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| Prepare to go on stage |
4 comments:
WONDERFUL EVENT
that is the way to build a community that functions together
and appreciates all its members
Was Curt Ankerberg there or is he only a tolerant Christian when he’s on the radio?
I did not see Ankerberg or any other candidate. I photographed every candidate I saw and recognized.
Peter Sage
Well if you had gone through the park today, like I do most days, you'd have seen pretty much the typical plethora of homeless people living in it. Supposedly there were "three sweeps" along the Greenway in September. Where do they go? My neighborhood? Definitely saw some.
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