KPBS’s Midday Edition recently explored the lesser-known histories of Black Americans’ connection to the Pacific Ocean during the 16th to 20th centuries. Jade Hyndman welcomed Caroline Collins, an assistant professor at UC San Diego, who is leading the exhibit titled “Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific,” currently showcased at the Central Library in downtown San Diego.
Professor Collins emphasized the importance of this timeline, indicating that the narrative around the transatlantic slave trade often overshadows other significant stories of Black engagement with the ocean.
Collins aimed to broaden the understanding of Black histories linked to the Pacific Ocean, highlighting the various roles that Black people played ranging from explorers and navigators to whalers and fishermen. She noted that prior to this exploration, the prevalent narratives often centered around the Atlantic and slave ships, neglecting the vital contributions of Black individuals to maritime activities in the Pacific.
The exhibit presents a wide array of interactions, from fishing to surfing, showcasing African maritime traditions and figures like Nick Gabaldon, a notable surfer of Black descent in California, and Carlotta Lye, who was known for her love of surfing in Hawaii in the late 19th century. Collins also discussed the impact of systemic segregation that historically barred Black people from accessing many waterfront spaces for leisure and how that continues to affect communities today.
Through the exhibit, Collins hopes to instill a deeper understanding of race relations in America that moves beyond the traditional Black-white narrative, revealing the diverse roles that Black people have held in maritime history.
Following the discussion on the Black Pacific, the show’s focus shifted to the Without Walls Festival, also known as the Wow Fest, a celebration of immersive theater occurring on the UC San Diego campus. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando spoke with Sharrock, a UC San Diego music professor who composed a piece called “Green Memories,” which aims to offer audiences a meditative experience through sound and visual elements.
Attendees of ‘Green Memories’ can expect an immersive experience utilizing surround sound and visual projections designed to create a connection with Earth’s ecology. The piece includes a poem by Iranian poet Farrok Farrokhzad that addresses environmental concerns—juxtaposing tranquil visuals with poignant themes.
Accomando also spoke with Hugo Williams from the Australian collective Pony Cam about their show “Burnout Paradise,” where performers will cook a meal and submit a grant application while running on treadmills for an hour. Williams described the interactive element that encourages audience participation, fostering a sense of community and support during the performance.
In another segment, the San Diego Book Crawl, occurring in conjunction with Independent Bookstore Day, was previewed. The crawl allows participants to visit various bookstores, collect stamps in a passport, and receive special prizes. Newcomer Hay Books joins the event this year, showcasing a mix of used and new titles. Veteran booksellers shared their experiences and emphasized the importance of independent bookstores in fostering community connections and curating meaningful selections of literature.
Overall, the discussions highlighted the diverse and rich cultural tapestry represented in Black Pacific history, the innovative performances at the Wow Fest, and the vibrant local independent bookstore community.
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpbs-midday-edition/this-week-in-the-arts-black-pacific-history-wow-festival-and-san-diego-book-crawl
