October 2002

Briefly speaking: Book project comes to life with fall activities

From a Craft Center class on Hmong embroidery to penetrating questions posed in campus discussion groups, UC Davis is mining the riches of its first Campus Community Book Project.

By encouraging the campus community to read "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" and participate in a variety of related activities, the campus is seeking to foster understanding and respect for different cultures.

The book by Anne Fadiman explores the conflict between medical professionals in Merced and a Hmong family over the care of their daughter, Lia Lee, who has epilepsy. The lack of understanding between Lia's parents and her doctors results in tragedy.

The book was chosen because it is applicable to a variety of disciplines, including medicine, and provides the opportunity for dialogue about mutual respect in a multicultural environment.

A talk by May Ying Ly, an interpreter in the book and president of the Hmong Women's Heritage Association in Sacramento, is the first of several special events this fall. Ly will speak at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Main Theatre.

Other events include:

• Nov. 6, Wednesday ó Dr. Moon Chen of the UC Davis Cancer Center and one of the nation's foremost investigators into the cancer burden of ethnic minority groups, speaks on "Cross Cultural Issues in Public Health."
• Nov. 25, Monday ó a Hmong Culture Night features food, dance, history, fashion and art.
• Dec. 2, Monday ó a panel discussion with author Anne Fadiman; interpreter May Ying Ly; Neil Ernst and Peggy Philp, doctors who worked with the family; and Mai Lee, Lia's sister.
• Dec. 2, Monday ó author Anne Fadiman speaks at the Mondavi Center (tickets required).

The book also is being used in several courses and is the subject of noon-hour discussion groups.

For more information on the book project, visit the Campus Community Book Project Web site or the Aggie Family Pack's special events calendar (link).

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