The National Constitution Center today marked the opening of the groundbreaking, new exhibition Fighting for Democracy: Who is the "We" in "We the People"? with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring World War II veteran Domingo Los Baños, the only living individual of the seven featured in the exhibition. Los Baños served as a member of the First Filipino Infantry Regiment during the war, assigned the dangerous task of mopping up enemy soldiers who refused to surrender.
Paying homage to ordinary Americans with extraordinary legacies, Fighting for Democracy immerses the visitor in the real-life experiences of a diverse group of seven Americans who bravely fought for equality, freedom and justice overseas and at home during the World War II era. To bring these compelling stories to life, the Center has paired a must-see, multimedia exhibition from the Japanese American National Museum with an original, world premiere theatrical production. This innovative exhibit-theater hybrid connects powerfully to current debates about immigration, citizenship and civil rights in America. Fighting for Democracy: Who is the "We" in "We the People"?, is FREE with museum admission and runs from October 14, 2011 - January 16, 2012.Fighting for Democracy is presented by the National Constitution Center in partnership with the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, an educational program of the Japanese American National Museum, and is funded in part by the U.S. Army Center of Military History. The traveling exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of The Boeing Company.Hazel Ying Lee, a Chinese American who tenaciously pursued her dream of flying, a dream unattainable to many women at the time. She proved her mettle by serving her country as a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots.
Carl Gorman, a Navajo punished as a child for speaking his native language. Undeterred, he later saved countless American lives as a Navajo Code Talker.
Domingo Los Baños, a member of the First Filipino Infantry Regiment who fearlessly snuck behind enemy lines to uncover valuable information. He later became a teacher to mentor schoolchildren on the values of camaraderie, teamwork and compassion.
George Saito, a Japanese American who sought to prove his loyalty to the United States by volunteering for service in the Army while his family remained incarcerated in the Amache concentration camp in Colorado.
Frances Slanger, a Jewish American woman whose unyielding desire to help others led her to become a nurse. After aiding many wounded soldiers in need of aid, she became the first American nurse to die in Europe.
Bill Terry, an African American who joined the Tuskegee Airmen program after being denied service as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps due to his race. He would be denied the right to vote for 50 years for a crime he didn't commit.
"I was privileged to fight alongside many Americans of every color and creed who believed in the promise of democracy, and I realized that American democracy is not a finished concept but is always evolving and changing," said United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Chairman Emeritus, Japanese American National Museum Board of Governors. "All of us, especially our young people, need to understand and believe that we can change historic inequities for the betterment of all." By integrating an acclaimed traveling exhibition from the Japanese American National Museum with an original live theater production, Fighting for Democracy pushes the boundaries of the traditional museum experience. Visitors can view scrapbooks containing replicas of photos and immigration documents; read reproductions of newspaper articles, telegrams and letters; and watch documentary films. At the heart of the exhibition is an intimate performance space in which the three-actor production takes place several times each day, featuring a racially diverse cast of actors portraying various characters. Created collaboratively by the National Constitution Center and some of Philadelphia's top professional theater artists, the 30-minute live performance explores how the concept of "We the People" has been challenged, revised and expanded throughout American history. A 10-minute discussion about diversity, identity and equality follows each show.The National Constitution Center has a long tradition of presenting theatrical productions as a way to connect audiences to history and the Constitution, and is acclaimed for its use of theater in the museum space, particularly through its Signature Productions Freedom Rising and Living News. "Fighting for Democracy engages audiences in ways that are personal and immediate and that transcend the traditional museum experience," said National Constitution Center President and CEO David Eisner. "By giving voice to these seven individuals through theater, we hope to inspire a visceral connection with their bravery, their choices, and their legacies." Performances occur at the following times:Monday-FridayVideos