Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

4-27-2023

Abstract

Nebraska is 12% Hispanic and Latino, up from 5.5% in 2000. Latinx people in Nebraska are under-represented in archives, as intersecting identities – class, immigration status, English proficiency and more – mean they have historically appeared as subjects rather than agents. Oral histories, especially those with members of historically excluded groups, are a critical tool for filling some of the silences in archives, thus making archives more representative of populations they serve. However, oral histories conducted as part of bilingual initiatives and staffed by people with varying levels of fluency come with unique challenges. The presenters will discuss oral history projects conducted with the Latinx communities of Nebraska. “Coming to the Plains” conducted 20 interviews in central Nebraska, focusing on the immigration experiences of the participants. All project materials are bilingual. “Conversaćiónes: Latino and Latina Voices of Omaha” includes 17 “Voces of a Pandemic” oral histories and 20 “Latino Railroad Workers in the Midwest” oral histories; both projects are partnerships between multiple collaborating institutions. “Voces” highlights the impact of COVID-19 on the Omaha Latinx community, while “Railroad Workers” focuses on the contributions to the industry made by Latinos. Bilingual interview and biographical summaries are shared online, with bilingual transcriptions the eventual goal. Together, the presenters will discuss mechanics of doing bilingual oral history as well as the opportunities and pitfalls of working with granting agencies, and of building collaborative relationships both with other partners within a project and with Latinx communities more broadly.

Comments

This was presented at the Society of Southwest Archivists

This part, by Wendy Guerra, is part of a bigger presentation that was co-presented with Laurinda Weiss, Robert Weaver, and Zach Hernandez

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