Spanish Interpretation Returns to DJJD Bank Raid Re-enactment

After a one-year absence, a Spanish translation for the popular James-Younger Gang returns this year at the Defeat of Jesse James Days.

The Spanish-interpreted bank raid re-enactment made its debut at the 2010 DJJD. When it was , many residents  asking why, especially because there was an expanded schedule of American Sign Language interpretations.

“There are so many Hispanic people in Northfield,” Christopher Tassava, a Northfield resident, told Northfield Patch last year. “This is the central social event of the year, it would be such a nice symbol of inclusivity.”

Committee members, who are all volunteers, said the one Spanish-translated version was pegged for one of the busier re-enactments—1 p.m. Saturday—in 2010 and that there were logistical problems it, namely its length.

“It took way too long for anybody to sit through,” said DJJD Committee Chair Shelley Brady.

With new events—like the  and —in 2011, time to correct the translated version ran out, committee members said.

The committee following last year's DJJD that it would return in 2012.

"The Spanish raid did not go well because presenting in both languages ended up with a long, drawn out introduction that was untenable for the audience and the performers," the committee said in a statement to Patch last year. "We believe we have come up with a better Spanish version but we were unable to organize it in time for (2011's) event. We are encouraged that so many in the community agree with us on the need for a Spanish interpretation of the raid and hope they may even want to join our committee to help with the organization!"

Committee members denied that pressure from residents who opposed the translation played a role in its 2011 absence.

On Sept. 10, 2010, the Defeat of Jesse James Days Facebook page posted that Fr. Denny Dempsey from the  would narrate the raid re-enactment in Spanish that evening.

Responses were mixed—some supported the idea, while others strongly disagreed. The thread produced 67 comments, including:

• “Why spanish, if you cant understand english then you shouldnt be here.”
• “DISLIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
• “I come down there from the cities and I have to hear the re-enactment in MEXICAN??? If that's how it's going to be every year, I'm not coming again.”
• “I hope it draws many of our Spanish-speaking friends, neighbors and community members to downtown and I hope that they are warmly welcomed.”
• “I think the Spanish narration is a wonderful community-building event!”
• “Fantastic idea - helping members of the community learn the history is a positive for all.”

Daniel Groll, an assistant professor at , said not having the translation last year without any explanation ahead of time left many wondering if hate had won out.

“The initial impulse should be applauded, but it is upsetting to not see it come back, especially in light of the hateful response it generated in some people,” he said.

With a Spanish translation returning in 2012, Groll said he was pleased.

"I'm really glad they were able to make it work," he told Patch.

DJJD Bank Raid Re-enactment Schedule

• Friday: 6 and 7 p.m. (ASL and Spanish interpreted at 7 p.m.)
• Saturday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. (ASL at 11, 1, 3)
• Sunday: 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (ASL at 11)

Be sure to stick with Patch leading up to DJJD, which is Sept. 5-9. We'll have previews and loads of coverage during the big event. Be sure to bookmark our DJJD 2012 page to follow all the action.

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