“Y en El 57 Me Casé Con Él y Fue Por Él Que Me Quedé Aquí en Ohio”

Narrative Voice in Latina/o/e Oral Histories

Abstract

The practice of oral history is inherently dialogic. It is one that promotes reciprocity and reflection as both narrators and interviewers come together to learn and reflect about their stories. Oral histories of Latinas/os/es allow us to critically understand the histories we hear along with the linguistic and cultural practices of our narrators, which are often tied to intersectional experiences of racialization and marginalization (Foulis and Barajas 2022; Foulis and Alex 2021; Crenshaw 2017). Yet, despite adversities, through reliving and recounting their own life stories, our narrators also embody joy through the interactions with those conducting oral history work. Drawing from literary studies, I explore the use of memory and testimony as tools for writing ourselves into history (Anzaldúa 1987; Felman & Luab,1992; Flores-Ortiz 2001; Quintana 1993).