Once they arrived, they were placed in resettlement camps (four military bases) where, as shown by one small boy watching an Ivory soap commercial on television, they were given a crash course in American culture. Other photographs in the exhibit show a Buddhist monk dressed in traditional orange-colored robes, culture groups participating in Fourth of July parades and immigrants returning to their homeland to help those who were left behind. And, in the photo that perhaps most shows the transplants had truly become American, Vietnamese survivors of Hurricane Katrina, once again forced from their homes, sort through boxes of donated clothing and food following the storm.
While "Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon" includes images of Vietnamese refugees suffering hardships, the most captivating photos are the ones that show the happy and hopeful new lives they created for themselves, including a shot of a group at a Tet Festival (Lunar New Year) celebration. They are proudly standing with their American-born children who are wearing traditional costumes, and their Hispanic congresswoman. (Yep, we're a melting pot.) 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Through November 30. Houston Community College, 3100 Main. For information call, 713-718-5015 or visit www.vietam.org. Free.
Mondays-Saturdays. Starts: Aug. 21. Continues through Nov. 30, 2008