California Council for the Humanities Winter 2010 HUmaN/I’IeS Featured in This Issue I \ 5 ^ Literature brings compassion Humanities' role in today's world: Pilot program begins community and understanding to medicine A conversation with new dialogue at Riverside County at Fresno's VA Hospital NEH Chairman Jim Leach public libraries Soldiers share stories, heal wounds New program offers perspective for health care providers serving veterans Dr. Robert disorders manifest in people. Council. The California Council reading plays, short stories, Hierholzer, Such experiences helped the for the Humanities is one of 14 poetry, fiction and personal a psychiatrist residents better empathize state councils participating in narratives and sharing their and the with their patients. an initiative funded by a grant reflections with colleagues. humanities at the heart of health care Associate from the National Endowment The program has been shown Now with Council support, the Chief of Staff for Research and for the Humanities to expand to have a significant effect Fresno Veterans Administration Education at the Department the nationally recognized pro¬ on the way health care profes¬ Hospital, which serves more of Veterans Affairs Central gram to VA hospitals around sionals understand their work, than 35,000 veterans, will be California Health Care System the country. and consequently improves the first in California to partici¬ in Fresno, often used literary their interactions with patients pate in Literature & Medicine: The award-winning program, works as teaching aids with and strengthens their relation¬ Humanities at the Heart of which has been employed in his psychiatry residents. He ships with one another. Health Care®, a scholar-led, hospitals and other health care found that some writings, humanities-based professional settings since 1997, deepens "The practice of medicine such as those by author development program for health medical practitioners' under¬ and health care is very stress¬ William Styron—who suffered care professionals developed standing of their professional ful, demanding work," said from depression—provided by the Maine Humanities roles and relationships through useful insight into how mental continued on page 3 For ex-Marine Michael Baldrige, by a California Story Fund grant coming home and recovering from the California Council for from the traumas of war was the Humanities given to Loyola in some ways as harrowing as Marymount University. the firefights he experienced in Vietnam. It took him nearly 30 continued on page 3 Scenes from "On the Front Line: Three Generations of Soldiers' Voices" include, left to right, actor years to come to terms with his Christopher Sweeney playing World War II Army veteran Vincent Migliazzo; actor Ken Narasaki as Korean War Army veteran George Omi in front of a projection of Omi; and actor Luis Jimenez emotional scars. portraying Iraq War Marine veteran Abraham Salazar Beruman. (Photos: Nathan Kornelis) Baldrige was one of 11 veterans The California Council for the PUT GIVES from World War II, the Korean Humanities is a partner of the War, the Vietnam War and National Endowment for the current conflicts in Afghanistan VOICE TO SOLDIERS and Iraq whose stories were Humanities. Humanities Network dramatized in "On the Front is published three times a year and Line: Three Generations of mailed to anyone who requests it Stories from the battlefield help vets heal, Soldiers' Voices," an original from the San Francisco office. foster public understanding dramatic production supported ww.calhum.org _ _ WHEN CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE UNSPEAKABLE? By Ralph Lewin, President and CEO WHEN I WAS AN UNDERGRADUATE AT from confronting ideas or actions that are painful, Royer went UC SANTA BARBARA, the school's most to the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital to popular course was "The Impact of the work with veterans from World War II through the current war Vietnam War on American Religion in Afghanistan and explore the stories of what it means to be and Culture" taught by Religious in a war and how it can define the lives of both veterans and Studies Professor Walter H. Capps, the rest of us. later a Democratic congressman from The Council's new Literature & Medicine: Humanities at the California. The nationally renowned Heart of Health Care® program is taking place at the VA Hospital course was covered three times on in Fresno, which serves more than 35,000 veterans. Dr. Richard "60 Minutes" and filled the campus's Hierholzer, a psychiatrist and the hospital's Associate Chief of 900-seat Campbell Hall every semester. Staff for Research and Education who is leading the program, Why was this religious studies course so popular? Martin Luther talks about the power of reading literature, such as a piece by King Jr. cautioned us, "Our lives begin to end the day we become William Styron, and how that simple act can improve the quality silent about things that matter." The other students and I were of a veteran's treatment. curious about the silence that enveloped our nation, a silence These are just two examples of the important work that the Council that shattered many of our loved ones, tore into families and has undertaken. Also in this issue of Humanities Network, Jim communities, and fundamentally shaped the country we knew. Leach, chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, We were drawn to the courage of someone who spoke about talks about how the humanities can help us make wise geopolitical the unspeakable and broke the silence. decisions in the future. He told me, "History is needed to provide Professor Capps' course taught us about war and its wounds. lessons for the here and now, literature to stretch the imagination, It taught us how war can dampen the fire of the human spirit and philosophy and theology to provide a moral and social and how the humanities—and the conversations they inspire compass." As you know, humanities perspectives are critical to —can lift that spirit again. Two Council-supported projects, who we are and who we are becoming. The work we do together described in this issue of Humanities Network, reminded ensures that these perspectives pierce the silence and illuminate me of those important truths. the conversations we have about what matters the most. Judith Royer, who directed the project "On the Front Line: Three Thank you for your continued support. Generations of Soldiers' Voices," opens a dialogue about what happened in war and how it impacts both individuals and society —something that is critical to building an understanding of the human experience. Despite the very human impulse to hold back Two New Members Join Council Board THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES WELCOMES MARK L. FRIEDMAN AND CYNTHIA J. WORNHAM TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mark L. Friedman is a founder and president Cynthia J. Wornham is currently the vice of Fulcrum Property, a Sacramento-based real president of marketing and communications estate development and investment company for the Natural History Museum of Los with broad experience in retail, mixed-use and Angeles County. In this role, she directs all urban-infill projects. Fulcrum's projects address of the museum's strategic communications some of the most interesting and urgent initiatives including branding, marketing, problems facing cities today: the revitalization media relations, new website development, of urban cores, the reuse of older buildings and the development strategic partnerships, publications and internal communications. of new community centers. Prior to her current position, Wornham was principal of her Prior to entering the real estate field, Friedman was a director own strategic communications firm, Cynthia Wornham & in the Merger and Acquisition Group of Salomon Brothers Inc., Associates, where she provided counsel to a number of cultural with responsibility for transactions involving lodging, gaming organizations, including the Hammer Museum (Los Angeles), and real estate companies. Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Annenberg Cultural Center (Beverly Hills) and Michael Maltzan Architecture. Friedman is an active participant in several charitable and civic organizations. He is currently serving on the UC Davis Wornham has also overseen communications for the Sundance Chancellor's Cabinet and the School of Education Board of Institute and Film Festival, Ruder Finn and the J. Paul Getty Trust. Trustees. He is also a founding board member of Trans 2100, A native of San Diego, Wornham holds a bachelor's degree a coalition of environmental, governmental and housing in environmental studies from UC Santa Barbara. advocates promoting legal and policy reforms to make development of urban infill projects easier and less expensive. Friedman graduated with a bachelor's degree from Harvard College, and also earned graduate degrees in business and law from Stanford University. 2 www.calhum.org Literature Brings Compassioii. Understanding to Medicine (nnntimjRd fmm page i) Dr. Hierholzer, who serves as month at the VA facility for six particularly severe physical that you are not the only one the VA hospital liaison for the months to read and discuss and psychiatric wounds. The who has confronted these program. "Sometimes it can excerpts from two literary veterans being served often challenges." feel like some of the humanistic anthologies developed for the struggle with post-traumatic "Participants can approach aspects of health care can get Literature & Medicine program— stress disorder (PTSD), physical their experiences as caregivers lost in the shuffle. "Imagine What It's Like: A Litera¬ disabilities, substance abuse, through the prism of reading ture and Medicine Anthology" chronic illness, homelessness "I hope that the participants a piece of literature and talking and "Echoes of War." and poverty. will find that [the program] about how that illuminates charges their professional Michael Clifton, an English Participants at the Maine and issues related to their practice," batteries, gives them renewed department faculty member Vermont VA medical centers said Felicia Kelley, senior pro¬ enthusiasm for their work and from California State University, report that the readings and gram officer for the California helps them see things from a Fresno, is helping to choose discussions have given them a Council for the Humanities. different perspective, whether the texts and will facilitate the deeper understanding of PTSD, "I would guess that most of the from another health care pro¬ informal discussions, which will greater patience and a higher caregivers are not veterans. By vider or the patient. I'm hoping be held over potluck dinners. tolerance for patients' anger reading works of imaginative that it will give people a differ¬ and volatility. "Multiple deploy¬ Literature & Medicine is literature and film, people can ent outlook," he said. ments for troops are going to expected to have a significant vicariously experience what it's strain the resources of those Starting in January, a diverse impact on health care providers like to be a veteran so that they who care for veterans," said group of 20 or so participants, at VA hospitals as work and can have a richer and deeper Clifton. "Reading literature including doctors, nurses, stress loads have increased understanding of that experi¬ that deals with difficulties and administrators and volunteers, with the influx of wounded ence and more insight into the dilemmas of medicine can help along with clerical, technical and soldiers from Afghanistan needs of their patients and their you cope because you find out support staff, will meet once a and Iraq, many of whom face families," she said. Play Gives Voice to Soldiers (continued fmm page i) /7-3! mb il In the final scene of "On the Front Line:Three Generations of Soldiers' Voice" actors April Fitzsimmons, Actor James Hurd, left, plays Vietnam War Navy veteran Thad Rasuii Ballew while actor DeSean Terry, Christopher Sweeney, Luis Jimenez, Jim Holmes, James Hurd, Ken Narasaki, OeSean Terry and Joyce right, portrays Malcolm X in “A Gentleman by an Act of Congress." IPhotos: Nathan Kornelis) Guy portray World War II Navy veteran David Jenett. Project Director Judith Royer, a writer or actor can give an University on Oct. 29 and The tell it. We get to hear what it's Los Angeles-based director and aesthetic beauty to even Actors' Gang in Culver City on really like, as a human being, Loyola Marymount University painful stories," Royer said. Nov. 10 and 11. to go to war." theater professor, organized the "Your story becomes a work Like many other veterans, those A panel discussion with the team of writers and actors who of art." who contributed their stories audience—featuring the lead elicited stories from a diverse The production employed a experienced a profound sense writer, workshop director and group of veterans associated workshop format, similar to of isolation that often only scholars—followed each perfor¬ with the West Los Angeles that used by the New York- dissipates after they are able mance. Many of the veterans in Veterans Administration Hospital. based Tectonic Theater Project to share their experience. Play¬ the audience expressed appre¬ Stories from three Marine, two in "The Laramie Project." Eight wright Doris Baizley said that ciation for the play and shared Navy and six Army veterans professional actors—six men she was both surprised and how it had enabled them to were then transformed into a and two women—told the heartened by the number of better reflect on and under¬ dramatic narrative that touched veterans' stories through a veterans willing to step forward stand their experiences. One on a wide range of issues series of short monologues and to tell their stories. Originally, man said that hearing and including equal rights, self- vignettes during the two-hour, she and her team of writers seeing his story performed had identity and dealing with the two-act performance. While the intended to tell only six stories, allowed him to think and feel long-lasting consequences of lead actor dramatized his or her but ended up with almost twice about his experiences in a new war. Many of the stories of the veteran's story, the other actors that amount when 11 veterans way, and to attain new insight. veterans included reflections remained on stage seated on offered to share their tales. Several others spoke about on the experience of racial and tall stools throughout the per¬ the importance of having an gender discrimination, as well "It's important for civilians to formance in a reader's theater audience for stories like these as the burden of guilt and hor¬ hear these stories because this style. The production also and the value of knowing that ror the soldiers suffered during is what we have sent [our sol¬ included an original musical someone is listening. the war. Other stories dealt with diers] to do," said Baizley. "We score and multimedia projec¬ the challenges and obstacles of are the civilians that they were "Our purpose was to let these tions that served as a constantly re-entering civilian life and the fighting for. For so many of us, voices be heard," Royer said. changing backdrop for the recurring nightmare of post- wars have become so distant. "Veterans rarely tell their loved performers. traumatic stress disorder. Even though we hear about ones their stories. And those are Performances were held at wars on the news and over the the people who need to hear "There is a healing that happens the United States Veterans' Internet, we don't really hear them because they need to when you hear your own story Artists Alliance in Culver City the personal experience until understand and to open up a told, particularly when a trained on July 11, Loyola Marymount one combat veteran starts to dialogue about what happened." 3 www.calhum.org Jeremy Bernard (left). White House liaison to the NEH, looks on as NEH Chairman Jim Leach speaks with Council board members and staff on Sept. 17, 2009, at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles. (Photo: Four Seven Photography) A Conversation with NEH Chairman Jim Leach NOMINATED BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IN JULY 2009 AND CONFIRMED BY THE U.S. SENATE IN EARLY AUGUST, JIM LEACH BEGAN HIS FOUR-YEAR TERM AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES LATER THAT MONTH. Leach served 30 years as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing southeastern Iowa from 1977 to 2007. During that time, he chaired several committees, including the Committee on Financial Services, and founded and co-chaired the Congressional Humanities Caucus. A graduate of Princeton and Johns Hopkins universities, Leach holds eight honorary degrees and has received numerous awards, including the Sidney R. Yates Award for Distinguished Public Service to the Humanities from the National Humanities Alliance, the Edgar Wayburn Award from the Sierra Club and the Wayne Morse Integrity in Politics Award. In a recent conversation with California Council for the Humanities President and CEO Ralph Lewin, Leach discussed his thoughts on the humanities and their role in today's world. I, “History is needed to provide lessons for the here and now, literature to stretch the imagination, and philosophy and theology to provide a moral and fllsocial compass.” RL: Thank you for spending 'pox.'" In fear of smallpox, the RL: Why did you think it was what can they offer during these some time to talk with us today, slave hunters back off and let important to found the Humanities challenging times? Chairman Leach. I would like to Huck pass. After the incident, Caucus while you served in the JL: Back in the '30s when we were start by asking what book has Huck is remorseful. "I 'knowed' House? in the direst of economic straits, had a lasting influence on you? I done wrong," he says, but from JL: I had come to the conclusion we devoted a greater percentage the reader's perspective, Huck did JL: As a young person, I was that there was a huge cost to society of resources to the arts and right. The story was a wondrous taken with Mark Twain. I was of shortchanging the humanities. humanities at the federal level than example of a boy doing something brought up on the Mississippi Our government was making we do today. We did this based on instinctively moral against the weight River. Twain was a riverboat cap¬ decisions about war and peace the premise that it was important of the law. I know of no passage that tain who traveled up and down without understanding what the for America to understand itself, is a more meaningful reflection of the river by the bluff where my implications of intervention in and it was important for those in American history and values. Iowa home was eventually built. the Middle East were. To fail to the arts and humanities to capture Of all the stories in American In college, the "Alexandria Quartet" understand the cultural dimen¬ what was happening in America literature, the one that stays by Lawrence Durrell influenced sions of the decisions to go to and shine a perspective on it. in my mind is a scene where me. The four books were set in war and maintain a long-term History is needed to provide Huckleberry Finn and a slave Alexandria, Egypt, between the two occupational presence without lessons for the here and now, named Jim are floating down world wars. Each was a first-person knowing the ramifications of our literature to stretch the imagina¬ the river on a raft. Slave hunters narrative of the same event, with actions was a profound and costly tion, and philosophy and approach and demand that Huck the story told from the perspective error for the United States. theology to provide a moral reveal if anyone else is aboard. of different characters. The moral RL: With the greatest economic and social compass. Huck knows that he should tell was that to get a sense of reality crisis since the 1930s, global the truth and turn Jim in, but one has to see things from more When it comes to war, policy warming and wars abroad, why instead he blurts out "only the than one pair of eyes. makers have become quite do the humanities matter and . continued on page 7 www.calhum.org 5BFFIA0IM v STRIKERS. ABB POET* SHAPER Ortt- UMBTttS IK CALIFORNI A Authors Stan Yogi and Elaine Elinson discussed their book, "WhereverThere's a Fight" at the Woodcrest and Cathedral City public libraries in Riverside County as part of the "Making a Difference" program on civic dialogue. Riverside County Libraries Make a Difference with New Program LIBRARY STAFF FOSTERS CIVIC programming, which consists program will run through June authors, Elaine Elinson and DIALOGUE IN THE COMMUNITY of reading and conversation on 2010 and plans are to extend Stan Yogi. The Cathedral City issues of current concern and it to other California library Library also held an author Libraries are more than just opportunities to make a differ¬ systems in the future. reading and discussion on free¬ repositories of books. They ence in their communities. Ten dom of expression and LGBT are increasingly becoming "This program gives us the library staff members attended rights based on excerpts from "community living rooms"— opportunity to push our pro¬ an intensive two-day workshop the book on Nov. 3. places where people gather to gramming to a new level," organized by the Council to learn about and discuss issues said Riverside County Library "My job is not to insert my learn about ways to engage affecting the world around Administrator Mark Smith. opinions, but to guide people patrons in meaningful civic them. A new California Council "As is typical with most library to the text and give them dialogue. Participants received for the Humanities program, programming, our staff doesn't free rein to discuss what they training, a handbook and other supported by funding from the really interact that much with want," Rynning said. "People resources in the humanities- Institute of Museum and Library program participants. We might really got into it. They were based method of reflection and Services—provided through the invite a performer, do the pub¬ involved and engaged and had dialogue facilitation developed California State Library—and licity for the event, introduce a lot to say. They said after the by the Project on Civic Reflec¬ the National Endowment for them and thank them at the event that they really enjoyed tion, a nationally recognized the Humanities, will help librar¬ end, but that would be the end the deep conversation and leader in its field. The librarians ies foster thoughtful, informed of it. ["Making a Difference"] having the chance to get into used speeches, fiction and and civil community dialogue. directly involves the library staff something so important." poetry—such as Dr. Martin in part of the programming, In early October 2009, the Luther King Jr.'s historic speech The majority of the libraries in being able to dialogue with Council kicked off the "Making "The Drum Major Instinct," will begin their programming the community. This allows us A Difference" program in "The Boy Without a Flag" by this month to coincide with the to stimulate a different kind of partnership with the Riverside Abraham Rodriguez Jr. and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. interest both with our staff and County Library System, which "A Litany for Survival" by poet Future programs will take the public." serves urban, suburban and Audre Lorde—as springboards place in March and May, in rural communities that are for dialogue. The first programs took place conjunction with Women's growing at a rate more than in early November 2009 at History Month, Cesar Chavez Over the next few months, four times that of the state Woodcrest and Cathedral City Day and Memorial Day web-based meetings will give generally and where over 38 libraries. On Nov. 2, Wood¬ observances. participating librarians opportu¬ crest Branch Manager Connie percent of the population speak nities to share their successes "The Council is trying to Rynning led a discussion on a language other than English and challenges with each other, demonstrate that libraries are censorship using a chapter at home. The six branch librar¬ seek peer and expert advice, logical places for community from the new Heyday Press ies participating in the program and continue to deepen their members to come together book "Wherever There's a range from Glen Avon, Home practice. Each branch library to talk and interact with one Gardens and Woodcrest in the Fight", about the history of will be responsible for developing another. That's consistent civil liberties in California. western region to Cathedral its programs and choosing dis¬ with what we think the role The reading and discussion City, Coachella and Palm Desert cussion material, which could of libraries is going to be in program was followed, two in the east. be anything from a written text the future," Smith said. days later, by a lively public The libraries are developing civic to a film or performance. The reading conducted by the engagement-oriented public "Making a Difference" pilot 5 www.calhum.org COUNCIL THE CALIFORNIA COUNCIL spearheaded the project, and impressed by Youth Digital FORTHE HUMANITIES WAS the teens worked with experi¬ Filmmakers, noting that the RECENTLY AWARDED THE enced filmmakers, community project excelled in meeting WINS PRESTIGIOUS 2009 HELEN mentors and humanities all of the prize's criteria, AND MARTIN SCHWARTZ scholars in making their films. which includes reaching new PRIZE FOR ITS WORK ON THE The films covered a wide range audiences, forging unique SCHWARTZ HOW I SEE IT: YOUTH DIGITAL of topics, including the effect collaborations, building capacity, FILMMAKERS PROJECT. THE of redevelopment on a San using technology innovatively COUNCIL WAS ONE OFTHREE Francisco neighborhood; and demonstrating sustainability. PRIZE RECIPIENTS TO RECEIVE THE Cambodian-American youth The judges noted that the NATIONAL AWARD PRESENTED growing up in an inner-city project's use of technology BY THE FEDERATION OF STATE Oakland neighborhood; strug¬ to reach youth audiences was HUMANITIES COUNCILS FOR gles with being LGBT in Concord; "innovative and inspiring." The OUTSTANDINGWORK IN THE the effects of the Khmer Rouge final products were far-reaching PUBLIC HUMANITIES. war on Cambodian-American and represented the breadth of youth in Long Beach; the the state's social, economic and Each year, the Federation experiences of different cultural ethnic diversity, according to awards up to three prizes, communities in the rural the judges' statement. which were named in honor Central Valley; racism, teenage of former Federation board Such accolades were not lost drug abuse and cliques on members Helen and Martin on the Council. campus among Lodi High Schwartz, to organizations School teens; homeless teens "It is an honor to receive this with programming that had in Los Angeles; and growing national recognition for excel¬ significant impact on citizens, up in isolated Siskiyou County. lence," said Council President institutions, organizations or The films were completed and and CEO Ralph Lewin. "The communities in their states. screened in 2008. Council is particularly grateful The Council previously won to the young people, the scholars the award in 2001 and 2007. Youth Digital Filmmakers was and the filmmakers from across conducted in partnership with The Council's award-winning California who were our part¬ the Digital Storytelling Institute How I See It: Youth Digital ners in imagining and creating of ZeroDivide and the Bay Area Filmmakers project began in this wonderful project. Video Coalition. The project October 2007 when the Council received major support from "We are also grateful to former gave $30,000 awards to each of the James Irvine Foundation staff member Raeshma Razvi eight California organizations and the We The People initiative for her leadership in this pro¬ to enable teens to create films of the National Endowment for gram and to the board and staff exploring the connections and the Humanities. for believing we could develop disconnections in their lives a program that would stretch and communities. In awarding the Council the who we are and how we can Schwartz Prize, the Federation's Former Council Programs impact people's lives," he said. four-judge panel was extremely Manager Raeshma Razvi Jon Carroll Named Council's New Director of External Affairs Carroll's career spans nearly legislative advocacy for the State Assembly and Senate 25 years in communications museum during a multimillion- and the U.S. Congress and a and development. He began dollar, five-year renovation of 2008 honoree of the Fresno his career in theatrical produc¬ the museum's nationally regis¬ Arts Council's Horizon Awards. tion and general management tered historic building. Carroll Among his many community in regional theater and Broad¬ has also served as chairman activities, he has served as a way touring shows before of the board of directors and volunteer for All About Care/ joining Walt Disney Studios' festival director for Fresno Reel Camp Care, Valley Public Radio film marketing division in 1994 Pride, a volunteer non-profit and Valley Public Television. to develop national promotions organization that presents an The California Council "Jon brings a wonderful mix and partnerships for feature annual film festival of award¬ for the Humanities film releases from the Walt winning LGBT feature films, of experience, energy and knowledge of California to welcomes Jon Carroll Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood documentaries and short films. help the Council grow and Pictures and Miramax labels. as its new director of Carroll is the winner of several better serve all Californians," He later went on to launch Walt external affairs. In this ADDY Awards for Advertising said Council President and Disney Animation Studios' role, Carroll will be in the Arts, a recipient of special CEO Ralph Lewin. marketing and communications recognition from the California responsible for promoting group. Carroll left Disney to and communicating assist in the opening of the new Twentieth Century Fox the importance of the Film Animation studio. humanities and the For the last nine years, Carroll Council's work, as well was the associate director/ as raising funds to support director of marketing and THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS ITS these efforts. communications for the Fresno GRATITUDE TO FORMER STAFF MEMBERS ALDEN Metropolitan Museum, where MUDGE, AMY ROUILLARD, MAURA HURLEY AND he was directly responsible RAESHMA RAZVI FOR THEIR EXCELLENT SERVICE for marketing, publicity, fund¬ AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTH THE ORGANIZATION raising, development and AND THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA. 6 www.calhum.org Culture Is Bigger Than Politics (continued from page 4) sophisticated in asking ques¬ JL: America is a national culture tions about the appropriateness with a mosaic of subcultures. The of overwhelming force doctrine, unresolved domestic question about the sustainability of Ameri¬ is whether these differences will can public opinion and the need prove to be unifying or divisive, for endgame strategies. But left whether social cohesiveness is out of decision making have been more vibrant if it is based on cultural factors. Would it, after all, uniformity of lifestyles or diversity have been helpful to have studied of peoples and values. As for our the French experience in Algeria relations with the rest of the world, before committing troops to Iraq America is increasingly rubbing and Afghanistan? Would it have up against an enormous variety been helpful to be steeped in the of cultures, many of which have British and Russian experiences contributed immigrants to our in Afghanistan? Culture is bigger society. The key to a prosperous than politics and more sustaining and secure future will be whether than institutions likely to be estab¬ we come to understand and lished by force of arms. Beginning respect these cultures and a conflict may principally be about value systems. logistics, but regime change and RL: Thank you, Chairman, for governance building demand atten¬ your insights. We look forward tion to cultural considerations. to working with you on making RL: Recently you've been talking the case that the humanities can about "bridging cultures." What inform and shape who we are do you mean by this? and who we become. During his visit with Council board members and staff on Sept. 17, 2009, NEH Chairman Jim Leach discussed his goals as new chairman, emphasized the importance of bridging cultures—both within the United States and internationally—and spoke about what it means to be a civil society. Top right: Kenya Davis-Hayes, Council board member; Elizabeth Leach, arts education counselor to the National Endowment for the Arts' senior deputy chairman; Ralph Lewin, Council president and CEO; Jim Leach; and Nancy Hatamiya, Council chairwoman. Bottom right: Jim Leach in conversation with Council board and staff members. Bottom left: Ralph Lewin; Elizabeth Daley, dean of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts; and Jim Leach at the home of Council Board Member Curt Sheppard and attorney Alan Hergott. Help The California Council for the Humanities reached more than 16 million people in California and across the nation last year, sharing fresh views and new perspectives that help us under¬ stand our world. Make We could not do this work without support from caring people like you. Join us and help make California a better place. California Here's how you can help: • Give to your community. Support community life by making a secure online donation to the a Better Council by clicking "Donate Now!" on our website at www.calhum.org. Make a one-time gift or pledge monthly support. Every action counts! Place • Make your gift go further through a workplace matching gifts program. Thousands of companies offer matching gifts programs that double, or even triple, an employee's charitable gift. It's simple, just ask your company if it has a matching gifts program and sign up. • Become a friend. Join us on Facebook. Become a fan and invite your friends to do the same. Stay abreast of Council events and programs. • Stay connected. Subscribe to our eNewsletter. Get up-to-date information and the latest news on Council programs, grant opportunities and events in your area. It's easy to sign up—just click on "Sign up for eNews" under Connect With Us on our website at www.calhum.org. For questions regarding gifts of stock, planned giving or other ways to give, please contact our development officer, Ann Yoshinaga, at 415/391.1474, ext. 313. Your support can make a difference! Who We Are Staff The California Council for the Humanities San Francisco Office JODY SAHOTA External Affairs Coordinator 312 Sutter Street, Suite 601 connects Californians to ideas and one San Francisco, CA 94108 JESSICA SANCHEZ 415/391.1474 Executive Assistant another in order to understand our shared RALPH LEWIN CARLOS TORRES heritage and diverse cultures, inspire civic President and CEO Operations Coordinator participation and shape our future. The JOIM CARROLL ANN YOSHINAGA Director of External Affairs Development Officer Council envisions a California where people KAREN RODRIGUEZ Los Angeles Office Director of Administration 315 W. Ninth Street, Suite 702 know that the humanities are essential to and Finance Los Angeles, CA 90015 213/623.5993 VANESSA WHANG leading a meaningful life, understanding Director of Programs FELICIA KELLEY the world and enriching the future. Senior Program Officer JOHN LIGHTFOOT Program Officer For more information, visit www.calhum.org. LUCY LE NGUYEN Grants Manager © 2010 The California Council for the Humanities CCH Board Members Board Chair KENYA DAVIS-HAYES MARSHA HIRANO-NAKANISHI LEONARD OLDS NANCY HATAMIYA Assistant Professor Assistant Vice Chancellor Chairman, Liberty Education Forum President of American History Academic Research and Resources Board of Directors The Hatamiya Group California Baptist University California State University Laguna Beach Davis Riverside Office of the Chancellor Long Beach MARGARET SHELLEDA Board Vice Chair BENJAMINT. DURAN Executive Director PEDRO CASTILLO Superintendent and President DAVID JOHNSON California Federation of Teachers Associate Professor of History Merced College Producer and Investor Oakland and Provost of Oakes College Santa Monica UC Santa Cruz ROBERT FEYER CURT SHEPARD Partner, Public Finance HILLARY MENDELSOHN Director CHRIS ABANI Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Founder and President Youth & Family Services Novelist and Professor San Francisco Purplebook Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center of Creative Writing * Beverly Hills UC Riverside MARK L. FRIEDMAN CYNTHIA J. WORNHAM Founder and President CORNELIUS MOORE Vice President, Marketing CINDI ALVITRE Fulcrum Property Co-Director, California Newsreel and Communications Culturalist and Ph.D. Candidate Sacramento San Francisco Natural History Museum Department of World Arts of Los Angeles County and Cultures LUIS HERRERA ALEJANDRO MORALES UCLA City Librarian Novelist and Professor DAPHNA ZIMAN San Francisco Public Library of Spanish and Portuguese Founder and Chairwoman and Film and Media Studies Children Uniting Nations UC Irvine Beverly Hills California Council for the Humanities . network HUmaN/TIeS Winter 2010_ www.calhum.org 312 Sutter Street, Suite 601 San Francisco, CA 94108 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION Return Service Required US POSTAGE PAID SAN FRANCISCO, CA PERMIT NO. 11379 o £^-aaug> 634-M IBT853 8 www.calhum.org