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Discover the rich history of 9-man, a fast-paced variation of volleyball traditionally played by Chinese and Chinese American communities.
HumanitiesDC & Ted Gong Present Culture Series: 9-Man, a conversation with key members of the Chinese American community reflecting on the street sport that continues to unite generations. For more than 90 years, 9-man volleyball has drawn teams from Chinatowns across the United States. In fact, the game is so popular that the last time a rotating competition took place in Washington, DC, it closed Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the FBI Building.
As immigrant identities continue to face challenges, understanding the impact of 9-man volleyball allows for a broader discussion on the importance of cultural spaces. Historical research has led to ongoing conversations about cultural preservation and identity within the Chinese American community, ensuring 9-man remains a thriving sport today.
Join us for a panel discussion exploring how the game's strict rules, emphasis on community, and longstanding traditions have contributed to cultural preservation across generations. Together, we'll revisit the rich history of 9-man volleyball in DC and highlight the resilience of Chinese American communities in maintaining their heritage despite adversity.
More About the Curator
Ted Gong retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2009 where he worked on policies, laws, and operations related to visas, border security, immigration, refugees, citizenship, and consular services. He led the national effort for Congress to apologize for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and founded the Foundation to broaden public understanding of its history. President of the DC Lodge of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Ted was educated at the University of California in History, University of Hawaii in Asian Studies, and U.S. Army War College in National Strategic Studies. He received a Frederick Douglass FD200 Award in 2019.
Please note: RSVPs are not required for entry, and entry is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. We appreciate your donations, but please note that if the event reaches capacity, donations will not be refundable.
For reasonable accommodation requests regarding access and inclusion, including ASL interpretation, please contact Jimmy Watkins (jwatkins@humanitiesdc.org) no later than five business days before the start of this event.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Special Collections |
