On November 30, 2016, HSP and community leaders explored the complex – and changing – notions surrounding the concepts of “citizen,” “immigrant,” and “refugee,” during A "Melting Pot" or Kaleidoscope? Immigration and Discrimination.

With opening statements by Faye Allard-Glass, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the Community College of Philadelphia and a first-generation immigrant, the panel dove into the history behind the terminology used to describe the U.S. as a “melting pot” or “salad bowl.”

The panel – featuring Rana Fayez (reporter for technical.ly) and Pedro Rodriguez (Director, Office of Human Resources, City of Philadelphia) – then shared their experiences with cultural assimilation and preservation. Attendees also discussed their experiences in Philadelphia.

Light refreshments of traditional cuisine from the panelists' cultures followed the discussion, as well as a document display featuring the collections of HSP's Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies.

A video of the program is available here.

This program was the first in the Becoming U.S. series exploring the stories and struggles of immigrants throughout Philadelphia’s 300+ year history. The free series continues on March 23 with Age & Assimilation.