>>> COMING UP, STORIES WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH TONIGHT.

CONNECTING YOU WITH TONIGHT.

LOCAL FARMERS SHARE THEIR LOCAL FARMERS SHARE THEIR STORIES WITH THE COMMUNITY.

STORIES WITH THE COMMUNITY.

>> AND I'M SHAKING MIGRAINE AND >> AND I'M SHAKING MIGRAINE AND I'M RUNNING BY THESE KIDS.

I'M RUNNING BY THESE KIDS.

I'M LIKE AN OLYMPIC RUNNER I'M LIKE AN OLYMPIC RUNNER HOLDING MY TORCH.

HOLDING MY TORCH.

AND I MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE AND I MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE PASTURE.

PASTURE.

AND I TURN AROUND, AND IT IS AND I TURN AROUND, AND IT IS CHAOS.

CHAOS.

>>> AN EXHIBIT THAT SHOWCASES >>> AN EXHIBIT THAT SHOWCASES THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE ASIAN THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATION FOR AMERICAN REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN.

CHILDREN.

>> THE TRUTH IS, AS THE ONLY >> THE TRUTH IS, AS THE ONLY ASIAN IN THE CLASSROOM, I NEVER ASIAN IN THE CLASSROOM, I NEVER FELT COLORLESS.

FELT COLORLESS.

IN FACT, I FELT LIKE I HAD THE IN FACT, I FELT LIKE I HAD THE SECRET.

SECRET.

>>> PREVINING THE MEMORIES OF >>> PREVINING THE MEMORIES OF THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY.

SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY.

>> PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THEIR >> PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THEIR SERVICE, THEIR SACRIFICE, WHAT SERVICE, THEIR SACRIFICE, WHAT THEY GAVE AND WHAT THEY THEY GAVE AND WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTED BACK TO THE CONTRIBUTED BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AFTERWARDS.

COMMUNITY AFTERWARDS.

>>> AND THE IMPACT THAT THE >>> AND THE IMPACT THAT THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE INCARCERATED.

INCARCERATED.

>> THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE >> THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE IN HIS HANDS, AND CRYING.

IN HIS HANDS, AND CRYING.

HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING "I HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING "I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS."

CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS."

>>> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND >>> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND MORE UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING MORE UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING POINT."

POINT."

>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING >> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS: >>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT."

POINT."

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THE FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, THE NON-PROFIT GROUP ERIC CARLE, NON-PROFIT GROUP ERIC CARLE, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CISA HAS BEEN OTHERWISE KNOWN AS CISA HAS BEEN HOLDING A PERFORMANCE EVENT HOLDING A PERFORMANCE EVENT CALLED FIELD NOTES.

CALLED FIELD NOTES.

IT'S STORY TELLING MEETS IT'S STORY TELLING MEETS AGRICULTURE AS LOCAL FARMERS AGRICULTURE AS LOCAL FARMERS SHARE THEIR PERSONAL STORIES AND SHARE THEIR PERSONAL STORIES AND EXPERIENCE ON A STAGE IN FRONT EXPERIENCE ON A STAGE IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE.

OF A LIVE AUDIENCE.

WITH COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN WITH COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE, THIS YEAR'S EFFORT WAS PLACE, THIS YEAR'S EFFORT WAS PRE-RECORDED WITH PLANS TO SHARE PRE-RECORDED WITH PLANS TO SHARE IT WITH THE PUBLIC ON JUNE IT WITH THE PUBLIC ON JUNE 22nd, AT THE NORTHFIELD 22nd, AT THE NORTHFIELD DRIVE-IN.

DRIVE-IN.

PRODUCER DAVE FRASER PROFILES PRODUCER DAVE FRASER PROFILES TWO OF THIS YEAR'S STORY TELLERS TWO OF THIS YEAR'S STORY TELLERS AND OFFERS A GLIMPSE INTO THE AND OFFERS A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN LIVES OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR REGION WHO GROW AND PREPARE OUR REGION WHO GROW AND PREPARE OUR FOOD EVERY DAY.

OUR FOOD EVERY DAY.

>> COME ON!

>> COME ON!

>> I GREW UP IN THE SUBURBS OF >> I GREW UP IN THE SUBURBS OF PHILADELPHIA.

PHILADELPHIA.

SO FARMING WAS VERY FOREIGN.

SO FARMING WAS VERY FOREIGN.

AND I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

AND I JUST FELL IN LOVE WITH IT.

>> FARMING IS JUST A TOOL TO DO >> FARMING IS JUST A TOOL TO DO REALLY LIKE THE WORK THAT I REALLY LIKE THE WORK THAT I LOVE, WHICH IS CONNECTING LOVE, WHICH IS CONNECTING PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.

>> TWO FARMERS, EACH WITH >> TWO FARMERS, EACH WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, EACH WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, EACH WITH A STORY TO SHARE.

A STORY TO SHARE.

>> EVERYBODY,rd?

>> EVERYBODY,rd?

I SAY FROM THE TOP OF OF MY I SAY FROM THE TOP OF OF MY PERCH.

PERCH.

>> CAN YOU DO THAT?

>> CAN YOU DO THAT?

>> JAKE CRAIN AND MERLE ARE >> JAKE CRAIN AND MERLE ARE FARMERS.

FARMERS.

ONE WORKS IN ASHFIELD.

ONE WORKS IN ASHFIELD.

>> NICE.

>> NICE.

THAT'S PERFECT.

THAT'S PERFECT.

>> HELPING TO CONNECT CHILDREN >> HELPING TO CONNECT CHILDREN TO FARMING.

TO FARMING.

WHILE THE OTHER IS IN GREENFIELD WHILE THE OTHER IS IN GREENFIELD WORKING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO WORKING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY LOCAL FOOD BY CONNECTING HEALTHY LOCAL FOOD BY CONNECTING PEOPLE, LAND, RESOURCES, AND PEOPLE, LAND, RESOURCES, AND KNOW HOW.

KNOW HOW.

BUT ON THIS DAY BOTH ARE STORY BUT ON THIS DAY BOTH ARE STORY TELLERS PARTICIPATING IN FIELD TELLERS PARTICIPATING IN FIELD NOTES, AN AFTERNOON OF STORY NOTES, AN AFTERNOON OF STORY TELLING SPONSORED BY CISA, TELLING SPONSORED BY CISA, COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN SUSTAINING COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN SUSTAINING AGRICULTURE.

AGRICULTURE.

>> HONESTLY, I HAVE ALWAYS >> HONESTLY, I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO TELL A STORY UP ON A WANTED TO TELL A STORY UP ON A STAGE.

STAGE.

THIS WAS SUCH A COOL OPPORTUNITY THIS WAS SUCH A COOL OPPORTUNITY TO MIX LIKE STORY TELLING WITH TO MIX LIKE STORY TELLING WITH LIKE THIS VERY REAL LIVED LIKE THIS VERY REAL LIVED EXPERIENCE OF FARMING.

EXPERIENCE OF FARMING.

>> LATRONICA HAS BEEN DOING THIS >> LATRONICA HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR MANY YEARS.

FOR MANY YEARS.

THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF HER THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF HER FIFTH YEAR AS FARM MANAGER AT FIFTH YEAR AS FARM MANAGER AT JUST ROOTS, A NON-PROFIT JUST ROOTS, A NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND NON-CERTIFIED OR CANTIC FARM IN NON-CERTIFIED OR CANTIC FARM IN GREENFIELD.

GREENFIELD.

>> MERLE.

>> MERLE.

>> WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GO UP >> WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GO UP AND WAIT IN THE WINGS, YOU KNOW, AND WAIT IN THE WINGS, YOU KNOW, STAGE DIRECTOR BROUGHT ME UP AND STAGE DIRECTOR BROUGHT ME UP AND I KEV MISTILY HAD THAT -- I KEV MISTILY HAD THAT -- DEFINITELY HAD THAT NERVY, OH, DEFINITELY HAD THAT NERVY, OH, I'M ABOUT TO TALK IN FRONT OF I'M ABOUT TO TALK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE THAT I ALWAYS GET.

PEOPLE THAT I ALWAYS GET.

I THINK THE MIX OF I'VE BEEN I THINK THE MIX OF I'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, I KNOW HOW TO TALK HERE BEFORE, I KNOW HOW TO TALK IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, BUT THIS IS IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, BUT THIS IS A VULNERABLE STORY ABOUT ME.

A VULNERABLE STORY ABOUT ME.

AND I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS A AND I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OF RISK INPUTTING LITTLE BIT OF RISK INPUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE.

YOURSELF OUT THERE.

>> FLAPPING, FLAPPING, FLAPPING, >> FLAPPING, FLAPPING, FLAPPING, THE SOUND OF THE PLASTIC AND THE THE SOUND OF THE PLASTIC AND THE LUMBER AND THE NUTS AND BOLTS LUMBER AND THE NUTS AND BOLTS SLAMMING ON THE METAL STRUCTURE, SLAMMING ON THE METAL STRUCTURE, WHICH WAS ONCE SO PRISTINE.

WHICH WAS ONCE SO PRISTINE.

I STAND THERE AND I KNOW THERE'S I STAND THERE AND I KNOW THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO.

NOTHING I CAN DO.

I THINK I JUST WANTED TO TELL I THINK I JUST WANTED TO TELL THAT STORY ONE LAST TIME.

THAT STORY ONE LAST TIME.

AND THEN SORT OF LET IT GO AND AND THEN SORT OF LET IT GO AND MOVE ON AND FIND THE NEXT NEW MOVE ON AND FIND THE NEXT NEW STORY.

STORY.

>> HI, MAMAS.

>> HI, MAMAS.

>> IN THE SUMMER GOING INTO HIS >> IN THE SUMMER GOING INTO HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR OF COLLEGE, JAKE SOPHOMORE YEAR OF COLLEGE, JAKE CRAIN INTERNED AT RED GATE FARM CRAIN INTERNED AT RED GATE FARM IN ASHFIELD.

IN ASHFIELD.

COMING FROM AN UPPER MIDDLE COMING FROM AN UPPER MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY WORKING ON A FARM CLASS FAMILY WORKING ON A FARM WAS VERY UNCHARTED TERRITORY, HE WAS VERY UNCHARTED TERRITORY, HE SAYS.

SAYS.

BUT THAT COLLEGE EXPERIENCE OF BUT THAT COLLEGE EXPERIENCE OF LIVING ON THE FARM WAS SO LIVING ON THE FARM WAS SO REWARDING THAT HE KNEW THAT REWARDING THAT HE KNEW THAT WORKING WITH FOOD IS WHAT HE WORKING WITH FOOD IS WHAT HE WANTED TO DO.

WANTED TO DO.

>> WHEN KIDS COME HERE TO WORK >> WHEN KIDS COME HERE TO WORK WITH US, THEY TRULY GET THAT MIX WITH US, THEY TRULY GET THAT MIX OF TAKING CARE OF ANIMALS, OF TAKING CARE OF ANIMALS, WORKING IN OUR VEGETABLE GARDENS WORKING IN OUR VEGETABLE GARDENS BUT ALSO WORKING IN OUR FOREST BUT ALSO WORKING IN OUR FOREST AND HELPING TO MAINTAIN TRAILS.

AND HELPING TO MAINTAIN TRAILS.

WE DO MAPLE SUGARING AS WELL.

WE DO MAPLE SUGARING AS WELL.

>> CRAIN'S STORY FOR FIELD NOTES >> CRAIN'S STORY FOR FIELD NOTES CENTERED ON THE TWO THINGS HE CENTERED ON THE TWO THINGS HE WORKS WITH THE MOST ON THE FARM.

WORKS WITH THE MOST ON THE FARM.

KIDS AND SHEEP.

KIDS AND SHEEP.

>> AND I'M SHAKING MIGRAINE AND >> AND I'M SHAKING MIGRAINE AND I'M RUNNING BY THESE -- MY I'M RUNNING BY THESE -- MY GRADING AND I'M RUNNING BY THESE GRADING AND I'M RUNNING BY THESE KIDS AND I MAKE IT ALL THE WAY KIDS AND I MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE PASTURE.

TO THE PASTURE.

AND I TURN AROUND, AND IT IS AND I TURN AROUND, AND IT IS CHAOS.

CHAOS.

INSTEAD OF CROSSING THE ROAD, INSTEAD OF CROSSING THE ROAD, THE SHEEP HAVE ESCAPED AND THE SHEEP HAVE ESCAPED AND THEY'RE GONE UP THE ROAD TOWARDS THEY'RE GONE UP THE ROAD TOWARDS OUR NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD.

OUR NEIGHBOR'S ORCHARD.

>> I CITED THAT WAS GOING TO BE >> I CITED THAT WAS GOING TO BE THE MY STORY BECAUSE THERE WERE THE MY STORY BECAUSE THERE WERE WAS SOME HUMOR INVOLVED IN IT WAS SOME HUMOR INVOLVED IN IT AND WHEN YOU ARE FARMING AND AND WHEN YOU ARE FARMING AND WITH KIDS, ALL SORTS OF THINGS WITH KIDS, ALL SORTS OF THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

CAN HAPPEN.

THE EDUCATOR IN ME WAS REALLY THE EDUCATOR IN ME WAS REALLY SATISFIED BECAUSE THOSE KIDS HAD SATISFIED BECAUSE THOSE KIDS HAD A VERY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE, AND A VERY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE, AND THEY DID LEARN SOMETHING.

THEY DID LEARN SOMETHING.

AND WHEN THEY GO HOME AND THEY AND WHEN THEY GO HOME AND THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN A SITUATION FIND THEMSELVES IN A SITUATION THAT CHANGES ON THEM ALL OF A THAT CHANGES ON THEM ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY'RE GOING TO BE OK.

SUDDEN, THEY'RE GOING TO BE OK.

THEY'RE GOING TO THINK TO THEY'RE GOING TO THINK TO THEMSELVES, I GOT THIS.

THEMSELVES, I GOT THIS.

JUST LIKE HERDING SHEEP.

JUST LIKE HERDING SHEEP.

>> YOU'RE DOING GREAT!

>>> MAY IS RECOGNIZED AS ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH.

AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH.

AND IN HONOR OF THIS THE ERIC AND IN HONOR OF THIS THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM IN AMHERST HAS CARLE MUSEUM IN AMHERST HAS LAUNCHED A VIRTUAL EXHIBIT LAUNCHED A VIRTUAL EXHIBIT ENTITLED "ASIANS EVERY DAY."

ENTITLED "ASIANS EVERY DAY."

THE EXHIBIT FEE CULTURES ARTWORK THE EXHIBIT FEE CULTURES ARTWORK THAT DEPICT ASIAN AMERICANS THAT DEPICT ASIAN AMERICANS LIVING THEIR EVERY DAY LIVES AND LIVING THEIR EVERY DAY LIVES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE COMMONALITIES WE HIGHLIGHTS THE COMMONALITIES WE SHARE AND SHOWCASING POSITIVE SHARE AND SHOWCASING POSITIVE ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATION.

ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATION.

IT'S A SUBJECT THAT HITS CLOSE IT'S A SUBJECT THAT HITS CLOSE TO HOME FOR AUTHOR, ILLUSTRATOR TO HOME FOR AUTHOR, ILLUSTRATOR AND EXHIBIT CUE ARE CURATOR AND EXHIBIT CUE ARE CURATOR LISTS LINN AND WE SPOKE ABOUT LISTS LINN AND WE SPOKE ABOUT THE PERSON EXPERIENCE WITH HER THE PERSON EXPERIENCE WITH HER DAUGHTER INSPIRED THE EXHIBIT.

DAUGHTER INSPIRED THE EXHIBIT.

>> MY DAUGHTER RETURNED TO IN >> MY DAUGHTER RETURNED TO IN PERSON SCHOOL AFTER THIS LONG PERSON SCHOOL AFTER THIS LONG TIME BEING AWAY DURING THE TIME BEING AWAY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

PANDEMIC.

AND DURING HER VERY FIRST WEEK AND DURING HER VERY FIRST WEEK AT SCHOOL, DURING LUNCH, A AT SCHOOL, DURING LUNCH, A CLASSMATE SAID, THAT THEY HATED CLASSMATE SAID, THAT THEY HATED ASIANS.

ASIANS.

AND, WELL, THEY ACTUALLY SAID AND, WELL, THEY ACTUALLY SAID THEY HATED CHINESE PEOPLE.

THEY HATED CHINESE PEOPLE.

AND THAT THE CHINESE STARTED THE AND THAT THE CHINESE STARTED THE CORONAVIRUS.

CORONAVIRUS.

AND, OF COURSE, I WAS VERY, VERY AND, OF COURSE, I WAS VERY, VERY UPSET WHEN I HEARD THIS.

UPSET WHEN I HEARD THIS.

AND I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN A AND I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN A UNIQUE POSITION TO HOPEFULLY UNIQUE POSITION TO HOPEFULLY HELP CHANGE MINDS OF YOUNG HELP CHANGE MINDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE CHILDREN, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT I DECIDED TO TRY TO DO WAYS THAT I DECIDED TO TRY TO DO THAT.

THAT.

>> SINCE THE ON SET OF THE >> SINCE THE ON SET OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC THAT CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC THAT STARTED LAST MARCH, THERE HAVE STARTED LAST MARCH, THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 6600 HATE INCIDENTS BEEN OVER 6600 HATE INCIDENTS AGAINST THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AGAINST THE ASIAN COMMUNITY ACCORDING TO HATE.ORG.

ACCORDING TO HATE.ORG.

IN LIGHT OF THAT HOW IMPORTANT IN LIGHT OF THAT HOW IMPORTANT ARE EXHIBITIONS LIKE THESE IN ARE EXHIBITIONS LIKE THESE IN CHANGING THAT NARRATIVE?

CHANGING THAT NARRATIVE?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE SO MUCH ANTI-ASIAN HATE IS SO MUCH ANTI-ASIAN HATE IS BECAUSE THE STORY THAT HAS BECAUSE THE STORY THAT HAS FUELED IT HAS PORTRAYED ASIANS FUELED IT HAS PORTRAYED ASIANS AS PERPETUAL FORENNERS, AS AS PERPETUAL FORENNERS, AS PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO CAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO CAUSE HARM.

HARM.

AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE A REAL AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE A REAL RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE, TO SHOW THAT THERE NARRATIVE, TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE MANY ASIANS WHO ARE NOT ARE MANY ASIANS WHO ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL FOREIGNERS BUT PROFESSIONAL FOREIGNERS BUT ASIANS ARE ACTUALLY A PART OF ASIANS ARE ACTUALLY A PART OF OUR EVERY DAY LIFE.

OUR EVERY DAY LIFE.

>> SO THERE ARE 26 BOOKS IN THIS >> SO THERE ARE 26 BOOKS IN THIS EXHIBIT.

EXHIBIT.

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS IN WHAT WAS THE PROCESS IN SELECTING THEM?

SELECTING THEM?

AND WHY DID THESE SPEAK TO YOU AND WHY DID THESE SPEAK TO YOU SPECIFICALLY?

SPECIFICALLY?

>> IN THE PAST THERE'S BEEN AN >> IN THE PAST THERE'S BEEN AN EMPHASIS ON SHOWING ASIANS AT EMPHASIS ON SHOWING ASIANS AT LUNAR YEAR YEAR, AND THOSE ARE LUNAR YEAR YEAR, AND THOSE ARE GREAT BUT I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE GREAT BUT I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE THAT ASIANS ARE PART OF THAT ASIANS ARE PART OF MAINSTREAM AMERICA.

MAINSTREAM AMERICA.

AND HOW THAT ASIANS WE ARE YOUR AND HOW THAT ASIANS WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS.

FRIENDS.

WE HAVE YOUR FAMILIES.

WE HAVE YOUR FAMILIES.

WE DO ALL THE SAME THINGS THAT WE DO ALL THE SAME THINGS THAT YOU DO.

YOU DO.

AND THAT WE ARE NOT YOUR AND THAT WE ARE NOT YOUR ENEMIES.

ENEMIES.

AND I FELT LIKE CHOOSING BOOKS AND I FELT LIKE CHOOSING BOOKS THAT SHOW CONTEMPORARY ASIAN THAT SHOW CONTEMPORARY ASIAN AMERICAN LIVES BY ASIAN AMERICAN AMERICAN LIVES BY ASIAN AMERICAN CREATORS WOULD DO A LOT TO CREATORS WOULD DO A LOT TO CREATE THAT NARRATIVE.

CREATE THAT NARRATIVE.

>> YOU GREW UP IN UPSTATE NEW >> YOU GREW UP IN UPSTATE NEW YORK AND HAD MENTIONED THAT YOU YORK AND HAD MENTIONED THAT YOU WERE THE ONLY ASIAN IN YOUR WERE THE ONLY ASIAN IN YOUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASS.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASS.

AND AT THE TIME DIVERSITY WAS AND AT THE TIME DIVERSITY WAS APPROACHED THROUGH A COLOR BLIND APPROACHED THROUGH A COLOR BLIND LENS.

LENS.

HOW DID THAT APPROACH IMPACT YOU HOW DID THAT APPROACH IMPACT YOU AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO AS AN AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO AS AN AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR?

AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR?

>> I GREW UP IN UPSTATE NEW YORK >> I GREW UP IN UPSTATE NEW YORK WHERE I WAS CONTINUINGLY THE WHERE I WAS CONTINUINGLY THE ONLY ASIAN PERSON IN MY CLASS ONLY ASIAN PERSON IN MY CLASS YEAR AFTER YEAR.

YEAR AFTER YEAR.

AND SO WHILE I UNDERSTOOD THE AND SO WHILE I UNDERSTOOD THE IDEA OF TRYING TO MAKE KIDS IDEA OF TRYING TO MAKE KIDS COLOR BLIND, THE TRUTH IS, AS COLOR BLIND, THE TRUTH IS, AS THE ONLY ASIAN IN THE CLASSROOM, THE ONLY ASIAN IN THE CLASSROOM, I NEVER FELT COLORLESS.

I NEVER FELT COLORLESS.

IN FACT, I FELT LIKE I HAD THE IN FACT, I FELT LIKE I HAD THE SECRET THAT NOBODY EVER TALKED SECRET THAT NOBODY EVER TALKED ABOUT BUT WE ALL KNEW, EVERYONE ABOUT BUT WE ALL KNEW, EVERYONE KNEW I WAS ASIAN.

KNEW I WAS ASIAN.

BUT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT BUT WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS THAT SHAMEFUL.

BECAUSE IT WAS THAT SHAMEFUL.

IF ANYTHING, IT GAVE ME A DEEPER IF ANYTHING, IT GAVE ME A DEEPER SENSE OF SHAME BECAUSE WE NEVER SENSE OF SHAME BECAUSE WE NEVER TALKED ABOUT IT.

TALKED ABOUT IT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR >> YOU HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR DIVERSITY AND HAVE RECEIVED MANY DIVERSITY AND HAVE RECEIVED MANY AWARDS FOR YOUR WORK AS AN AWARDS FOR YOUR WORK AS AN AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR INCLUDING AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR INCLUDING BEING RECOGNIZED IN 2016 BY THE BEING RECOGNIZED IN 2016 BY THE BOMB ADMINISTRATION AS A BOMB ADMINISTRATION AS A CHAMPION -- OBAMA ADMINISTRATION CHAMPION -- OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AS A CHAMPION OF CHANGE FOR AS A CHAMPION OF CHANGE FOR ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS ART AND STORY TELLING.

ART AND STORY TELLING.

WHEN CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO PICK WHEN CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO PICK UP A BOOK AND SEE THAT UP A BOOK AND SEE THAT REPRESENTATION OF THEIR REPRESENTATION OF THEIR BACKGROUND, WHAT DOES THAT DO BACKGROUND, WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR THEM?

FOR THEM?

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHILDREN'S >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CHILDREN'S BOOKS WE TALK A LOT ABOUT BOOKS WE TALK A LOT ABOUT WINDOWS AND MIRRORS.

WINDOWS AND MIRRORS.

AND WE TALK ABOUT HOW IT'S OZO AND WE TALK ABOUT HOW IT'S OZO IMPORTANT THAT CHILDREN ARE ABLE IMPORTANT THAT CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO SEE A REFLECTION OF TO SEE A REFLECTION OF THEMSELVES IN THE BOOKS THEY THEMSELVES IN THE BOOKS THEY READ AS WELL AS SEE THE WORLD READ AS WELL AS SEE THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

AROUND THEM.

UNFORTUNATELY, FOR MANY UNFORTUNATELY, FOR MANY MARGINALIZED CHILDREN, THEY ARE MARGINALIZED CHILDREN, THEY ARE ALMOST ALWAYS JUST SEEING ALMOST ALWAYS JUST SEEING WINDOWS.

WINDOWS.

THEY ARE ALWAYS SEEING THE WORLD THEY ARE ALWAYS SEEING THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF THEM.

OUTSIDE OF THEM.

AND THEY ARE VERY RARELY SEEING AND THEY ARE VERY RARELY SEEING A REFLECTION OF THEMSELVES.

A REFLECTION OF THEMSELVES.

AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS OVER AND AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE NEVER SEE A OVER AGAIN, WE NEVER SEE A CHARACTER IN A BOOK THAT LOOKS CHARACTER IN A BOOK THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU.

LIKE YOU.

YOU START FEELING INVISIBLE OR YOU START FEELING INVISIBLE OR SHAMED OF WHO YOU ARE.

SHAMED OF WHO YOU ARE.

BOOK, BEING ABLE TO SEE BOOK, BEING ABLE TO SEE YOURSELF, SOMEONE THAT LOOKS YOURSELF, SOMEONE THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU AS A HERO, THAT MAKES LIKE YOU AS A HERO, THAT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE YOU CAN BE ME FEEL LIKE YOU CAN BE IMPORTANT, YOU CAN HAVE AGENCY IMPORTANT, YOU CAN HAVE AGENCY IN YOUR LIFE.

IN YOUR LIFE.

SO THAT'S WHY THESE KIND OF SO THAT'S WHY THESE KIND OF BOOKS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

BOOKS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO IMPORTANT FOR BUT THEY'RE ALSO IMPORTANT FOR NON-ASIAN KIDS BECAUSE IT'S VERY NON-ASIAN KIDS BECAUSE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO SEE THE IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO SEE THE WORLD FROM ANOTHER STANDPOINT.

WORLD FROM ANOTHER STANDPOINT.

OTHERWISE HOW CAN WE EXPECT OTHERWISE HOW CAN WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO EMPATHIZE AND CARE PEOPLE TO EMPATHIZE AND CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER?

ABOUT EACH OTHER?

>> THAT BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT >> THAT BRINGS ME TO MY NEXT QUESTION.

QUESTION.

YOU SAID A QUOTE IN THE EYE YOU SAID A QUOTE IN THE EYE "BOSTON GLOBE" EYE EYE THAT "BOSTON GLOBE" EYE EYE THAT PEOPLE CAN RESONATE W YOU SAID PEOPLE CAN RESONATE W YOU SAID IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO FEEL SO IT'S ALWAYS HARD TO FEEL SO AMERICAN ON THE INSIDE AND YET AMERICAN ON THE INSIDE AND YET YOU REALIZE THAT SO FEW SEE YOU YOU REALIZE THAT SO FEW SEE YOU THAT WAY BECAUSE OF HOW YOU THAT WAY BECAUSE OF HOW YOU LOOK.

LOOK.

SO HOW CAN PARENTS AND SO HOW CAN PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS AND EVERYONE IN CAREGIVERS AND EVERYONE IN GENERAL ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO GENERAL ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO EXPLORE BOOKS ABOUT DIFFERENT EXPLORE BOOKS ABOUT DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND CULTURE SO THEY BACKGROUNDS AND CULTURE SO THEY CAN SEE THE SIMILARITIES AND CAN SEE THE SIMILARITIES AND ALSO CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCES?

ALSO CELEBRATE THE DIFFERENCES?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S THE >> WELL, I THINK THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON WHY THIS EXHIBIT IS WHOLE REASON WHY THIS EXHIBIT IS CALLED "ASIANS EVERY DAY."

CALLED "ASIANS EVERY DAY."

I THINK HERE IN THE UNITED I THINK HERE IN THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE A BAD HABIT OF STATES, WE HAVE A BAD HABIT OF LOOKING AT BOOKS ABOUT ASIANS LOOKING AT BOOKS ABOUT ASIANS DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR.

DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR.

WE LOOK AT BOOKS ABOUT BLACK WE LOOK AT BOOKS ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE DURING BLACK HISTORY PEOPLE DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

MONTH.

AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE LIVE.

AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE LIVE.

WE ARE ASIAN EVERY DAY.

WE ARE ASIAN EVERY DAY.

PEOPLE ARE BLACK PEOPLE EVERY PEOPLE ARE BLACK PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

DAY.

AND WE ARE PART OF SOCIETY EVERY AND WE ARE PART OF SOCIETY EVERY DAY.

DAY.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE SHOW ASIANS, WE SURE THAT WE SHOW ASIANS, WE SHOW MARGINALIZED PEOPLE EVERY SHOW MARGINALIZED PEOPLE EVERY DAY IN THE BOOKS WE READ AND ALL DAY IN THE BOOKS WE READ AND ALL THE MEDIA THAT WE LET OUR KIDS THE MEDIA THAT WE LET OUR KIDS CONSUMER.

CONSUMER.

>> THERE WERE TIMES EARLY ON IN >> THERE WERE TIMES EARLY ON IN YOUR CAREER WHEN YOU QUESTIONED YOUR CAREER WHEN YOU QUESTIONED THE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANTED TO THE WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANTED TO BE CONSIDERED AS A BE CONSIDERED AS A "MULTI-CULTURAL AUTHOR AND "MULTI-CULTURAL AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR."

ILLUSTRATOR."

DO YOU STILL HAVE THOSE DO YOU STILL HAVE THOSE RESERVATIONS AT THIS POINT IN RESERVATIONS AT THIS POINT IN YOUR CAREER?

YOUR CAREER?

AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHERS THAT MAY FEEL BOXED IN AS OTHERS THAT MAY FEEL BOXED IN AS PART OF THEIR CULTURAL PART OF THEIR CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS?

BACKGROUNDS?

>> PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE >> PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE PIGEONHOLED AS A MULTI-CULTURAL PIGEONHOLED AS A MULTI-CULTURAL AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR.

AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR.

THEY FEEL LIKE THAT MEANS THEIR THEY FEEL LIKE THAT MEANS THEIR BOOKS WILL ONLY APPEAL TO A BOOKS WILL ONLY APPEAL TO A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION.

POPULATION.

THAT THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY THAT THE PUBLISHING INDUSTRY WILL ONLY SUPPORT IT SO MUCH WILL ONLY SUPPORT IT SO MUCH BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER BE LIKE A BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER BE LIKE A BESTSELLER.

BESTSELLER.

AND ALSO THERE'S THE OTHER SIDE AND ALSO THERE'S THE OTHER SIDE WHERE THEY FEEL THAT OTHERS WHERE THEY FEEL THAT OTHERS MIGHT LOOK AT THEM AND THINK MIGHT LOOK AT THEM AND THINK THAT THEY'RE ONLY GETTING THAT THEY'RE ONLY GETTING PUBLISHED BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE PUBLISHED BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE OR THEIR NATIONALITY OR THEIR OR THEIR NATIONALITY OR THEIR ETHNICITY.

ETHNICITY.

AND THOSE ARE REALLY HARD PLACES AND THOSE ARE REALLY HARD PLACES TO BE AS A CREATOR.

TO BE AS A CREATOR.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY CREATORS I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANY CREATORS WHO ARE TEMPTED TO SHED THAT TO WHO ARE TEMPTED TO SHED THAT TO NOT TAKE IT AS A BURDEN, BUT TO NOT TAKE IT AS A BURDEN, BUT TO TAKE IT AS A POINT OF PRIDE.

TAKE IT AS A POINT OF PRIDE.

IT TOOK ME QUITE A WHILE TO IT TOOK ME QUITE A WHILE TO REALIZE THAT.

REALIZE THAT.

AND IT TOOK ME QUITE A WHILE TO AND IT TOOK ME QUITE A WHILE TO REALIZE WHAT A GIFT ALL THESE REALIZE WHAT A GIFT ALL THESE BURDENS WERE.

BURDENS WERE.

BECAUSE THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT IS UNIQUE TO ULTIMATE, THAT ADDS IS UNIQUE TO ULTIMATE, THAT ADDS SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE TO THE WORLD.

TO THE WORLD.

AND THAT IS WHAT BEING CREATORS AND THAT IS WHAT BEING CREATORS IS ABOUT.

>>> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CRACE ACTIVITY, CULTURE, AND CRACE ACTIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

NEW ENGLAND.

BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANY TIME YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANY TIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

CONTENT.

AS AMERICANS TAKE TO THE ROADS AS AMERICANS TAKE TO THE ROADS DURING THE UNOFFICIAL START OF DURING THE UNOFFICIAL START OF SUMMER THIS MEMORIAL DAY SUMMER THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, IN OUR DIGITAL WEEKEND, IN OUR DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE THIS WEEK, WE ARE EXCLUSIVE THIS WEEK, WE ARE EMBARKING ON A ROAD TRIM.

EMBARKING ON A ROAD TRIM.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE WORLD'S EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE WORLD'S FAMOUS MOHAWK TRAIL WHICH RUNS FAMOUS MOHAWK TRAIL WHICH RUNS FROM THE BERKSHIRES TO BOSTON FROM THE BERKSHIRES TO BOSTON ALONG HISTORIC ROUTE 2 ALONG HISTORIC ROUTE 2 OFFICIALLY BECAME A NATIONAL OFFICIALLY BECAME A NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY.

SCENIC BYWAY.

IT'S A RARE HONOR AND THE MOHAWK IT'S A RARE HONOR AND THE MOHAWK IS ONE OF ONLY 34 BYWAYS IS ONE OF ONLY 34 BYWAYS NATIONWIDE TO RECEIVE THIS NATIONWIDE TO RECEIVE THIS DESIGNATION SINCE 2009.

DESIGNATION SINCE 2009.

TO CELEBRATE BERKSHIRES TO CELEBRATE BERKSHIRES ENVIRONMENTALIST AND WRITER ENVIRONMENTALIST AND WRITER LAUREN STEVENS EXPLAINS THE LAUREN STEVENS EXPLAINS THE CREATION AND HISTORY OF THIS CREATION AND HISTORY OF THIS ICONIC ROAD.

ICONIC ROAD.

>> PEOPLE ARE REALLY EXCITED >> PEOPLE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE WEST.

ABOUT THE WEST.

AND IT SEEMED MORE IMMEDIATE TO AND IT SEEMED MORE IMMEDIATE TO THINK ABOUT THE WESTERN INDIANS THINK ABOUT THE WESTERN INDIANS THAN THE EASTERN INDIANS.

THAN THE EASTERN INDIANS.

SO THAT BIG 28-FOOT-TALL INDIAN SO THAT BIG 28-FOOT-TALL INDIAN WAS REALLY NOT SO MUCH A MISTAKE WAS REALLY NOT SO MUCH A MISTAKE AS AN ATTEMPT TO CAPITALIZE ON AS AN ATTEMPT TO CAPITALIZE ON WHAT WAS MORE EXCITING AT THE WHAT WAS MORE EXCITING AT THE TIME.

TIME.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL >> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS >>> FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AIR FORCE VETERAN GENE THEROUX AIR FORCE VETERAN GENE THEROUX HAS COLLECTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH HAS COLLECTED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE LOCAL SERVICE MEN AND ON THE LOCAL SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN INTHEY ARED IN CEMETERIES WOMEN INTHEY ARED IN CEMETERIES IN THE CITY OF WESTFIELD AND IN THE CITY OF WESTFIELD AND OTHER SURROUNDING TOWNS.

OTHER SURROUNDING TOWNS.

ALONG WITH HIS RESEARCH THE ALONG WITH HIS RESEARCH THE VETERAN TRAINS PEOPLE TO CLEAN VETERAN TRAINS PEOPLE TO CLEAN GRAVE STONES AND WORKS TO GRAVE STONES AND WORKS TO PRESERVE THE MEMORIES OF THOSE PRESERVE THE MEMORIES OF THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN THE ARMED MOTHERS FORCES.

ARMED MOTHERS FORCES.

AHEAD OF THIS MEMORIAL DAY AHEAD OF THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER WEEKEND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER CAUGHT UP WITH HIM IN SOUTHWICK CAUGHT UP WITH HIM IN SOUTHWICK TO BRING US THIS STORY.

TO BRING US THIS STORY.

>> TUCKED IN THE BACK OF THE OLD >> TUCKED IN THE BACK OF THE OLD CEMETERY IN SOUTHWICK GENE CEMETERY IN SOUTHWICK GENE THEROUX AND SOME VOLUNTEERS ARE THEROUX AND SOME VOLUNTEERS ARE WORKING TO RESET A GRAVE THAT WORKING TO RESET A GRAVE THAT HAS FALLEN OVER.

HAS FALLEN OVER.

YEARS OF NEGLECT HAVE CAUSED YEARS OF NEGLECT HAVE CAUSED MANY OF THE HEADSTONES IN THE MANY OF THE HEADSTONES IN THE AREA TO CRACK, TOPPLE OR JUST AREA TO CRACK, TOPPLE OR JUST BECOME UNSTABLE.

BECOME UNSTABLE.

THEROUX HAS TAKEN ON THE THEROUX HAS TAKEN ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRING RESPONSIBILITY OF REPAIRING THEM.

THEM.

>> I BELIEVE IN THE FOUR PILLARS >> I BELIEVE IN THE FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE.

OF SERVICE.

THE AMERICAN LEGION AND PART OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AND PART OF THAT IS AMERICANISM, COMMUNITY THAT IS AMERICANISM, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS SERVICE, AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT IN THE CEMETERIES.

ALL ABOUT IN THE CEMETERIES.

AMERICANISM AND CIVIL SERVICE.

AMERICANISM AND CIVIL SERVICE.

>> SOME OF THE MARKERS ARE MADE >> SOME OF THE MARKERS ARE MADE OF SANDSTONE AND LIMESTONE OF SANDSTONE AND LIMESTONE CONSIDER POROUS SO WE CAN TAKE CONSIDER POROUS SO WE CAN TAKE SOME TIME FOR CAKED IN SOME TIME FOR CAKED IN BIOLOGICAL MATTER TO BREAK DOWN.

BIOLOGICAL MATTER TO BREAK DOWN.

OTHERS MADE OF MARBLE AND OTHERS MADE OF MARBLE AND GRANITE ARE EASIER TO CLEAN GRANITE ARE EASIER TO CLEAN BECAUSE THE DIRT IS MOSTLY ON BECAUSE THE DIRT IS MOSTLY ON THE SURFACE.

THE SURFACE.

BUT WHAT THEROUX UNCOVERS IS BUT WHAT THEROUX UNCOVERS IS MUCH MORE THAN NAMES AND DATES MUCH MORE THAN NAMES AND DATES ETCHED IN STONE.

ETCHED IN STONE.

>> PROBABLY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE >> PROBABLY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THEIR SERVICE, THEIR SACRIFICE, THEIR SERVICE, THEIR SACRIFICE, WHAT THEY GAVE AND CONTRIBUTED WHAT THEY GAVE AND CONTRIBUTED BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AFTERWARDS.

AFTERWARDS.

>> THEROUX SAYS THAT IN THE >> THEROUX SAYS THAT IN THE CEMETERY IN SOUTHWICK THERE ARE CEMETERY IN SOUTHWICK THERE ARE 38 VETERANS FROM THE 38 VETERANS FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WARRIOR, THREE REVOLUTIONARY WARRIOR, THREE FROM THE WAR OF 1812 AND 22 FROM FROM THE WAR OF 1812 AND 22 FROM THE CIVIL WAR, ALONG WITH THE CIVIL WAR, ALONG WITH VETERANS FROM KOREA, VIETNAM, VETERANS FROM KOREA, VIETNAM, WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II.

WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL KILLED IN >> THERE ARE SEVERAL KILLED IN ACTION ON THE WAR ON THE OTHER ACTION ON THE WAR ON THE OTHER SIDE INCLUDING ROBERT, WHO SIDE INCLUDING ROBERT, WHO ATTENDED WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.

ATTENDED WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL.

HE LIVED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET HE LIVED RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE TOWN HALL.

FROM THE TOWN HALL.

HE WENT DOWN IN AN AIRPLANE IN HE WENT DOWN IN AN AIRPLANE IN THE BURMA CAMPAIGN.

THE BURMA CAMPAIGN.

AND HIS REMAINS HAVE NEVER BEEN AND HIS REMAINS HAVE NEVER BEEN FOUND.

FOUND.

>> ANOTHER IS PHILLIP ATWATER.

>> ANOTHER IS PHILLIP ATWATER.

HE WAS 22 WHEN HE WENT MISSING HE WAS 22 WHEN HE WENT MISSING IN ACTION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC IN ACTION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC DURING WORLD WAR II.

DURING WORLD WAR II.

HIS GRAVE STONE HAS BEEN BROUGHT HIS GRAVE STONE HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO IS ITS ORIGINAL BACK TO IS ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION AND DECORATED CONDITION AND DECORATED APPROPRIATELY WITH AMERICAN, APPROPRIATELY WITH AMERICAN, P.O.

WMIA AND PURPOSE PULL HEART P.O.

WMIA AND PURPOSE PULL HEART FLAGS.

FLAGS.

FOR STONES THAT NEED TO BE FOR STONES THAT NEED TO BE RESET, A SPECIAL TRY BOD POD AND RESET, A SPECIAL TRY BOD POD AND CHAIN IS USED TO LIFT THE STONE, CHAIN IS USED TO LIFT THE STONE, PREPARE A NEW BASE AND LOWER IT PREPARE A NEW BASE AND LOWER IT BACK IN.

BACK IN.

SETTING IT TO THE PROPERTY SETTING IT TO THE PROPERTY HEIGHT.

HEIGHT.

>> WHAT WE DID WAS WEIGH RAISED >> WHAT WE DID WAS WEIGH RAISED IT TO BRING IT AS CLOSE TO 22 IT TO BRING IT AS CLOSE TO 22 INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE HEADSTONE TO THE PLANT IN THE HEADSTONE TO THE PLANT IN THE GROUND AND TO LEVEL IT.

GROUND AND TO LEVEL IT.

AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MONUMENT YOU CAN SEE WHERE HOW MONUMENT YOU CAN SEE WHERE HOW MUCH WAS BELOW THE GROUND.

MUCH WAS BELOW THE GROUND.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY, I WILL BE AND THEN ULTIMATELY, I WILL BE VISITING THAT HEADSTONE TO PLANT VISITING THAT HEADSTONE TO PLANT MORE GRASS SEED AROUND IT MORE GRASS SEED AROUND IT BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE GOOD GROUND COVER AROUND THE GOOD GROUND COVER AROUND THE MONUMENTS BECAUSE THAT HELPS MONUMENTS BECAUSE THAT HELPS KEEP THEM IN PLACE.

KEEP THEM IN PLACE.

>> HEIDI JOHNSTONE IS ONE OF THE >> HEIDI JOHNSTONE IS ONE OF THE VOLUNTEERS WORKING ON THIS DAY.

VOLUNTEERS WORKING ON THIS DAY.

AND SHE ALSO SERVES ON THE AND SHE ALSO SERVES ON THE CEMETERY COMMISSION IN CEMETERY COMMISSION IN SOUTHWICK.

SOUTHWICK.

WHILE DOING SOME ANCESTRY WORK WHILE DOING SOME ANCESTRY WORK SHE DISCOVERED SEVERAL MEMBERS SHE DISCOVERED SEVERAL MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY WERE DURRY -- OF HER FAMILY WERE DURRY -- BURIED THERE.

BURIED THERE.

>> I FOUND THE CONNECTION TO THE >> I FOUND THE CONNECTION TO THE CEMETERY.

CEMETERY.

MY GRANDFATHER'S FATHER AND ALL MY GRANDFATHER'S FATHER AND ALL OF HIS RELATIVES, ANCESTORS OF HIS RELATIVES, ANCESTORS BEFORE THAT ARE BURIED HERE.

BEFORE THAT ARE BURIED HERE.

THIS IS MY FIFTH THIS IS MY FIFTH GREAT-GRANDFATHER RIGHT HERE.

GREAT-GRANDFATHER RIGHT HERE.

HIS NAME IS ELIJAH.

HIS NAME IS ELIJAH.

AND HE WAS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY AND HE WAS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

WAR.

AND THIS IS WHERE HE LAYS.

AND THIS IS WHERE HE LAYS.

>> THEROUX CONCENTRATES HIS WORK >> THEROUX CONCENTRATES HIS WORK MOSTLY IN WESTFIELD WHERE ARE MOSTLY IN WESTFIELD WHERE ARE THERE ARE NINE CEMETARIES.

THERE ARE NINE CEMETARIES.

HE RECOGNIZES THE YEARS OF HE RECOGNIZES THE YEARS OF NEGLECT MANY OF THESE NEGLECT MANY OF THESE GRAVESTONES HAVE SUFFERED BUT GRAVESTONES HAVE SUFFERED BUT ONE BY ONE WITH THE HELP OF ONE BY ONE WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY, HE OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY, HE HOPES TO BRING THEM BACK TO THE HOPES TO BRING THEM BACK TO THE CONDITION THEY DESERVE.

CONDITION THEY DESERVE.

>> I JUST FIND IT SO REMARKABLE >> I JUST FIND IT SO REMARKABLE ABOUT THE SERVICE AND THE ABOUT THE SERVICE AND THE SACRIFICE AND THE CALL TO DUTY SACRIFICE AND THE CALL TO DUTY THAT THOSE FOLKS DID.

THAT THOSE FOLKS DID.

20 YEARS FROM NOW OR WHEREVER WE 20 YEARS FROM NOW OR WHEREVER WE MIGHT BE AND WE CAN NO LONGER MIGHT BE AND WE CAN NO LONGER CONTRIBUTE AND PARN, WE HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE AND PARN, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OUR COUNTRY IS LEFT MAKE SURE OUR COUNTRY IS LEFT IN GOOD HANDS AND THAT PEOPLE IN GOOD HANDS AND THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT LIBERTY AND FREEDOM KNOW WHAT LIBERTY AND FREEDOM WHAT & WHAT PEOPLE SACRIFICED.

WHAT & WHAT PEOPLE SACRIFICED.

>>> AS WE COME TOGETHER AS A >>> AS WE COME TOGETHER AS A NATION THIS WEEKEND TO HONOR THE NATION THIS WEEKEND TO HONOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THOSE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF THOSE IN THE ARMED FORCES ON MEMORIAL IN THE ARMED FORCES ON MEMORIAL DAY, YOU CAN FIND MORE STORIES DAY, YOU CAN FIND MORE STORIES CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL VETERANS CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL VETERANS AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> FOR OVER 35 YEARS, PHYLLIS >>> FOR OVER 35 YEARS, PHYLLIS CORNFELD HAS WORKED AS AN ART CORNFELD HAS WORKED AS AN ART INSTRUCTOR INSIDE CORRECTIONAL INSTRUCTOR INSIDE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY IN FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY IN ALL LEVELS OF SECURITY, FROM ALL LEVELS OF SECURITY, FROM COUNTY JAIL TO DEATH ROW.

COUNTY JAIL TO DEATH ROW.

HER BOOK ENTITLED "SELL BLOCK HER BOOK ENTITLED "SELL BLOCK VISIONS, PRISON ART IN AMERICA," VISIONS, PRISON ART IN AMERICA," WAS INCARED BY ARTWORK MADE WAS INCARED BY ARTWORK MADE BEHIND BARS.

BEHIND BARS.

I SPOKE WITH HER TO LEARN HOW I SPOKE WITH HER TO LEARN HOW SHE BECAME INVOLVED WITH SHE BECAME INVOLVED WITH TEACHING ART AND CORRECTION TEACHING ART AND CORRECTION INSTITUTIONS AND TO HEAR MORE INSTITUTIONS AND TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THE ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE INCARCERATED.

INCARCERATED.

>> I AM TALKING ABOUT WHAT I'M >> I AM TALKING ABOUT WHAT I'M CALLING TRUE CREATIVITY.

CALLING TRUE CREATIVITY.

WHICH -- IT'S NOT THE FRONTAL WHICH -- IT'S NOT THE FRONTAL LOBE TELLING ME WHAT ART SHOULD LOBE TELLING ME WHAT ART SHOULD LOOK LIKE OR IF I CAN DO THIS OR LOOK LIKE OR IF I CAN DO THIS OR IF I CAN DO THAT.

IF I CAN DO THAT.

IT'S WORK, IT'S WORK THAT COMES IT'S WORK, IT'S WORK THAT COMES FROM A VERY DEEP PLACE IN A FROM A VERY DEEP PLACE IN A PERSON.

PERSON.

THE VISUAL THAT I HAVE COME TO THE VISUAL THAT I HAVE COME TO ME OVER THE YEARS IS THIS SORT ME OVER THE YEARS IS THIS SORT OF FIERY COIL.

OF FIERY COIL.

DEEP IN EVERY HUMAN BEING THAT DEEP IN EVERY HUMAN BEING THAT HUMANITY ALL THROUGH HISTORY HUMANITY ALL THROUGH HISTORY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WANTING AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WANTING AND CREATING BEAUTY AND WANTING TO CREATING BEAUTY AND WANTING TO CREATE BEAUTY.

CREATE BEAUTY.

AMONG PEOPLE WHO ARE AMONG PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED, THEY HAVE VERY LOW INCARCERATED, THEY HAVE VERY LOW SELF-ESTEEM.

SELF-ESTEEM.

THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT NEGATIVITY ABOUT THEMSELVES.

NEGATIVITY ABOUT THEMSELVES.

THEY'VE BEEN TRAUMATIZED.

THEY'VE BEEN TRAUMATIZED.

IT HAS JUST KEPT THAT BEAUTIFUL IT HAS JUST KEPT THAT BEAUTIFUL HUMAN CAPACITY IMPRISONED.

HUMAN CAPACITY IMPRISONED.

WHAT I DO IS I DON'T REACH IN TO WHAT I DO IS I DON'T REACH IN TO PULL IT OUT.

PULL IT OUT.

WHAT I DO IS DISAPPEAR ALL OF WHAT I DO IS DISAPPEAR ALL OF THE OBSTRUCTIONS.

THE OBSTRUCTIONS.

AND THEN, BAM, IT'S OUT.

AND THEN, BAM, IT'S OUT.

AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE IN ALL AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE IN ALL THE ARTWORK.

THE ARTWORK.

>> AND I WANT TO TOUCH ON THAT >> AND I WANT TO TOUCH ON THAT POINT OF THAT NATURAL HUMAN, YOU POINT OF THAT NATURAL HUMAN, YOU KNOW, CREATIVITY THAT WE HAVE KNOW, CREATIVITY THAT WE HAVE INSIDE OF US.

INSIDE OF US.

BECAUSE YOU STATED THAT BECAUSE YOU STATED THAT UNPLUGGING IS YOUR PRIMARY UNPLUGGING IS YOUR PRIMARY FUNCTION AS AN ART TEACHER.

FUNCTION AS AN ART TEACHER.

AND IT KIND OF HELPS THESE AND IT KIND OF HELPS THESE ARTISTS REALIZE THAT THIS IS ARTISTS REALIZE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S WITHIN THEM.

SOMETHING THAT'S WITHIN THEM.

SO WHAT ARE YOUR WAYS OR SO WHAT ARE YOUR WAYS OR TECHNIQUES THAT YOU USE FOR TECHNIQUES THAT YOU USE FOR STUDENTS THAT YOU HAVE THAT STUDENTS THAT YOU HAVE THAT MIGHT BE HESITANT TO GET THEM TO MIGHT BE HESITANT TO GET THEM TO BEGIN CREATING ART?

BEGIN CREATING ART?

>> WELL, THE FIRST OF ALL, THE >> WELL, THE FIRST OF ALL, THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE, THEY'RE VERY CIRCUMSTANCES ARE, THEY'RE VERY STRICT RULES IN MY CLASS.

STRICT RULES IN MY CLASS.

ONE OF THEM IS THEY'RE NOT ONE OF THEM IS THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK PERSONALLY.

ALLOWED TO SPEAK PERSONALLY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT'S HORRIBLE.

HORRIBLE.

BUT THEY TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES BUT THEY TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR LIVES AND THEIR CRIMES AND THEIR LIVES AND THEIR CRIMES AND THEIR MISERY AND ALL OF THAT AND THEIR MISERY AND ALL OF THAT ALL THE TIME.

ALL THE TIME.

THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK IT THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK IT OUT LOUD IN THE ART CLASS.

OUT LOUD IN THE ART CLASS.

IMMEDIATELY, THE EGO IS QUIETED.

IMMEDIATELY, THE EGO IS QUIETED.

AND THEY'RE IN A PLACE OF NOT AND THEY'RE IN A PLACE OF NOT KNOWING.

KNOWING.

THEY ALSO ARE NOT PERMITTED TO THEY ALSO ARE NOT PERMITTED TO EXPRESS NEGATIVITY.

EXPRESS NEGATIVITY.

THAT'S NOT ABOUT THE ART BUT THAT'S NOT ABOUT THE ART BUT IT'S ABOUT THEIR SPEECH AND IT'S ABOUT THEIR SPEECH AND THEIR EVEN THEIR PHYSICAL THEIR EVEN THEIR PHYSICAL POSTURE.

POSTURE.

AND WE DON'T TALK.

AND WE DON'T TALK.

WE DON'T SPEAK CASUALLY IN ART WE DON'T SPEAK CASUALLY IN ART CLASS.

CLASS.

SO IMMEDIATELY, THE ONLY THING SO IMMEDIATELY, THE ONLY THING THERE IS TO DO IS TO CREATE THIS THERE IS TO DO IS TO CREATE THIS ART.

ART.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONE MAN DID A FOR EXAMPLE, ONE MAN DID A LANDSCAPE.

LANDSCAPE.

BUT HE DID IT UNSURELY AND BUT HE DID IT UNSURELY AND QUICKLY.

QUICKLY.

I SENT HIM BACK TO SPEND MORE I SENT HIM BACK TO SPEND MORE TIME ON IT.

TIME ON IT.

BY THE TIME HE BROUGHT IT IN, IT BY THE TIME HE BROUGHT IT IN, IT WAS QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

WAS QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE IN THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE IN HIS HANDS AND CRYING.

HIS HANDS AND CRYING.

HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING "I HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING "I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS.

CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS."

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS."

AND THAT'S PURCHASE NUMBER 2 IS AND THAT'S PURCHASE NUMBER 2 IS FOR THE PEOPLE TO REALIZE, TO FOR THE PEOPLE TO REALIZE, TO LEARN A PART OF THEMSELVES THAT LEARN A PART OF THEMSELVES THAT THEY NEVER KNEW EXISTED.

THEY NEVER KNEW EXISTED.

>> AFTER SPENDING OVER 35 YEARS >> AFTER SPENDING OVER 35 YEARS WORKING WITH INMATES, WHAT DO WORKING WITH INMATES, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND PEOPLE TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS POPULATION?

ABOUT THIS POPULATION?

>> WELL, I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO >> WELL, I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE SYSTEM.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE SYSTEM.

JAMES GILLIGAN IS A JAMES GILLIGAN IS A PSYCHIATRIST.

PSYCHIATRIST.

HIS JOB WAS TO INTERVIEW THE HIS JOB WAS TO INTERVIEW THE MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS IN MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS IN FEDERAL PRISONS.

FEDERAL PRISONS.

HE TOLD ME, HE ALWAYS KEPT THE HE TOLD ME, HE ALWAYS KEPT THE SAME ANSWER TO THE SAME QUESTION SAME ANSWER TO THE SAME QUESTION AS "WHY DID DO YOU IT?"

AS "WHY DID DO YOU IT?"

AND HE DIDN'T MEAN THE CHILDHOOD AND HE DIDN'T MEAN THE CHILDHOOD ABUSE AND THAT KIND OF THINGS.

ABUSE AND THAT KIND OF THINGS.

HE MEANT THAT MOMENT.

HE MEANT THAT MOMENT.

WHY DID YOU DO IT?

WHY DID YOU DO IT?

THEY SAID BECAUSE I WAS THEY SAID BECAUSE I WAS DISRESPECTED.

DISRESPECTED.

AND THE OTHER QUOTE FROM JAMES AND THE OTHER QUOTE FROM JAMES GILLIGAN IS THAT ALL VIOLENCE IS GILLIGAN IS THAT ALL VIOLENCE IS AN ATTEMPT TO REPLACE SHAME WITH AN ATTEMPT TO REPLACE SHAME WITH SELF-ESTEEM.

SELF-ESTEEM.

SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

I BELIEVE WE REALIZE THAT I BELIEVE WE REALIZE THAT PUNISHMENT -- PUNISHMENT PUNISHMENT -- PUNISHMENT STIMULATES VIOLENCE.

STIMULATES VIOLENCE.

IT DOESN'T HELP ANYTHING.

IT DOESN'T HELP ANYTHING.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE GOT THE I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE GOT THE IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE, IN THE IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE, IN THE EARLY DAYS.

EARLY DAYS.

THAT IF YOU PUNISH SOMEONE THEY THAT IF YOU PUNISH SOMEONE THEY WILL STOP DOING IT BECAUSE IT WILL STOP DOING IT BECAUSE IT NEVER, I WOULD NEVER WORKED.

NEVER, I WOULD NEVER WORKED.

>>> FINALLY, TONIGHT THE REGION >>> FINALLY, TONIGHT THE REGION LOST A LEGENDARY ARTIST AND LOST A LEGENDARY ARTIST AND STORY TELLER THIS WEEK WHEN ERIC STORY TELLER THIS WEEK WHEN ERIC CARLE PASSED AWAY THIS WEEKEND.

CARLE PASSED AWAY THIS WEEKEND.

BORN IN SYRACUSE IN 1929, BORN IN SYRACUSE IN 1929, CARLE'S IMMIGRANT PARENTS CARLE'S IMMIGRANT PARENTS RETURNED TO THEIR NATIVE GERMANY RETURNED TO THEIR NATIVE GERMANY JUST PRIOR TO WORLD WAR II.

JUST PRIOR TO WORLD WAR II.

AND HIS CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND HIS CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES DURING THAT PERIOD HELPED SHAPE DURING THAT PERIOD HELPED SHAPE HIS LOVE OF COLOR AND LIFE.

HIS LOVE OF COLOR AND LIFE.

AFTER ATTENDING ART SCHOOL HE AFTER ATTENDING ART SCHOOL HE RETURNED TO DO UNITED STATES AT RETURNED TO DO UNITED STATES AT THE AGE OF 23, AND WORKED IN THE AGE OF 23, AND WORKED IN ADVERTISING BEFORE TURNING HIS ADVERTISING BEFORE TURNING HIS HAND TO AUTHORING CHILDREN'S HAND TO AUTHORING CHILDREN'S BOOKS.

BOOKS.

INCLUDING HIS MOST FAMOUS WORK, INCLUDING HIS MOST FAMOUS WORK, "THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR."

"THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR."

PUBLISHED IN 1969.

PUBLISHED IN 1969.

HE AND HIS WIFE BARBARA FOUNDED HE AND HIS WIFE BARBARA FOUNDED THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART IN AMHERST IN 2002 BOOK ART IN AMHERST IN 2002 WHERE HE WORKED TO CHAMPION THE WHERE HE WORKED TO CHAMPION THE ART OF ILLUSTRATION AND STORY ART OF ILLUSTRATION AND STORY TELLING FOR THE YOUNG AND YOUNG TELLING FOR THE YOUNG AND YOUNG AT HEART.

AT HEART.

ERIC CARLE WAS 91 YEARS OLD AND ERIC CARLE WAS 91 YEARS OLD AND WE WILL MISS HIM.

WE WILL MISS HIM.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING AND THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" FOR MAY 28th, 2021.

POINT" FOR MAY 28th, 2021.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW TONIGHT THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW TONIGHT AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL ONLY CONTENT AND MORE DIGITAL ONLY CONTENT AND MORE ONLINE ANY TIME AT ONLINE ANY TIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

AND PLEASE JOIN US AGAIN NEXT AND PLEASE JOIN US AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6:00 RIGHT HERE FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6:00 RIGHT HERE ON NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA FOR ON NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA FOR MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND PLEASE THANKS FOR WATCHING AND PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER THOSE TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIED WHILE SERVING OUR WHO DIED WHILE SERVING OUR COUNTRY, THIS MEMORIAL DAY COUNTRY, THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

WEEKEND.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING >> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

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