The Days of Lower Lamos
Poster Number
1
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
This spring I conducted oral histories pertaining to the first generation Lebanese American experience. The people being interviewed were my grandfather Phil Daher and his siblings Joe and Sally. I asked them to depict their childhoods as first generation Lebanese Americans. The stories that were once softened with humor, during my own childhood, grew coarser as I learned of both the economic and culturally based social struggles the three faced as children and then young adults. This presentation focuses on the discrimination that both Adele (their mother) and Sally faced as women while living within the traditional Lebanese household run by Barbar Daher. Even while living within the United States they work under the domination of men – handing over wages and taking beatings. Yet both are strong women who attempt to gain freedom. Within the storyline I have chosen to highlight my Aunt Sally’s story, a daughter who learns from her mother’s life, and ultimately stands up for the freedom that she deserves.The oral histories were told to me in the form of stories. All three children used humor to soften the graphic images that they were sharing. It was this combination of imagery and humor that inspired me to present the oral histories as a comprehensive graphic novel. I felt that illustrations allowed me to present the story in a detailed but engaging manner, and allowed me to incorporate the same jokes that they turned to in darker times.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
Start Date
2-5-2009 1:00 PM
End Date
2-5-2009 3:00 PM
The Days of Lower Lamos
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
This spring I conducted oral histories pertaining to the first generation Lebanese American experience. The people being interviewed were my grandfather Phil Daher and his siblings Joe and Sally. I asked them to depict their childhoods as first generation Lebanese Americans. The stories that were once softened with humor, during my own childhood, grew coarser as I learned of both the economic and culturally based social struggles the three faced as children and then young adults. This presentation focuses on the discrimination that both Adele (their mother) and Sally faced as women while living within the traditional Lebanese household run by Barbar Daher. Even while living within the United States they work under the domination of men – handing over wages and taking beatings. Yet both are strong women who attempt to gain freedom. Within the storyline I have chosen to highlight my Aunt Sally’s story, a daughter who learns from her mother’s life, and ultimately stands up for the freedom that she deserves.The oral histories were told to me in the form of stories. All three children used humor to soften the graphic images that they were sharing. It was this combination of imagery and humor that inspired me to present the oral histories as a comprehensive graphic novel. I felt that illustrations allowed me to present the story in a detailed but engaging manner, and allowed me to incorporate the same jokes that they turned to in darker times.