2018.034.004 Oral History Interview with Cindy Lobach

Oral History Archive

2018.034.004 Oral History Interview with Cindy Lobach

This oral history focuses on People of the Golden Vision’s treasurer and founding member Cindy Lobach, as she reflects on the role of the paper sculptures in the Golden Venture detainees’ eventual release. She discusses how the sculptures have ended up in many unexpected places, which speaks to their lasting cultural impact. Lobach reflects on how the detainment of the Golden Venture refugees and their beautiful artwork changed their supporters and the people of York. She also discusses how the creation of these paper sculptures gave the detainees hope for a better future. Lobach describes these refugees’ difficulties adapting to York and the racist attitudes many people have towards immigrants. She hopes that visitors to the exhibit will be come to understand that many immigrants who come to the United States undocumented do so because they are fleeing persecution and there is no other choice for them. She hopes the exhibit will show the potential of art to change lives.

0:10 - Introduction to Cindy Lobach, her role in helping the Golden Venture detainees become US citizens, how she first heard about the incarcerated people who came over from China on the Golden Venture, her visits to the prison and later role, first seeing the paper sculptures

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6:26 - Particular stories of the paper sculptures and how powerful and meaningful they are, her experience from when the detainees were still in prison, how many of these detainees have become like family to her now, how this experience influenced her to help by housing other political refugees and asylum seekers

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12:02 - The role of the sculptures in the paroling of the detainees in York, Pennsylvania where the men were detained, the far cultural reach of these sculptures, changing the minds of conservatives like herself by introducing them to the Golden Venture detainees and their artwork, how the sales of artwork helped the detainees financially

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18:53 - Changing perceptions of illegal immigration, some others whose perceptions have not changed on immigration and who are still biased and prejudiced, how Cindy feels that this artwork should help people understand that political refugees are just people fleeing dangerous situations and that each immigration case should be assessed individually instead of resorting to stereotypes

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