Yearning to Breathe Free: The Immigrant Experience in Maine (Senior College in the Community)

Yearning to Breathe Free begins with the arrival of the Europeans to what would become Maine and moves through the subsequent waves of French-Canadian, Irish, Swedish, Lebanese, Armenian, Chinese, and East Asian immigrants. Not all immigration to Maine was voluntary, however, and the presentation discusses the importation of African slaves into the state. Yearning To Breathe Free takes a deep look at the tension between the state’s need for labor and its recruitment of immigrants to fill that need and the suspicion, discrimination, prejudice and hatred that accompanied immigration. The program ends with a discussion of contemporary immigration to Maine, noting that, in contrast to earlier times, most immigrants coming into the state today are coming as refugees.

Those who wish to attend will have the option of doing so in person, in the Androscoggin Community Room, or virtually.   For more information or to register (requested if attending in person, required if attending via Zoom), visit https://laseniorcollege.org/.  Everyone who registers will receive a link to Zoom in their email on the morning of the class and may attend either in person or by Zoom if desired.

This presentation is part of a speaker series entitled Senior College in the Community offered through a partnership with Lewiston Auburn Senior College.  Lewiston Auburn Senior College has a long-standing relationship with community partners.  In addition to this program, Senior College offers in-person, Zoom, and hybrid enrichment classes.  For more information about Senior College, visit https://laseniorcollege.org/.