For my manuscript I conducted several oral history interviews to recover the voice of the people and provide a more authentic account of the lived experience. It was a joy to speak with these individuals and I am forever thankful for each person taking the time to share their personal family stories. The collection - the physical audio - is housed within the Cesar Chavez Collection at the Michigan State University Library. It is still in the processed of being archived.
All interviewees were asked about how their families arrived in Michigan, what labor they performed, their experiences in school, what celebrations and leisure activities they participated in, their education, and if they experienced discrimination (among other topics).The main focus of discussion was always leisure (celebrations and sports), labor (factory and farm work), and discrimination.
All interviewees were asked about how their families arrived in Michigan, what labor they performed, their experiences in school, what celebrations and leisure activities they participated in, their education, and if they experienced discrimination (among other topics).The main focus of discussion was always leisure (celebrations and sports), labor (factory and farm work), and discrimination.
David Arceo, longtime United Auto Workers Member (father was in Sit-Down Strike), Flint, MI
David was a long time UAW member, first Latino sergeant-major in the Michigan National Guard, and County Commissioner. His father, Rafael, was a participant in the UAW Sit-Down Strike. He spoke of life in Flint, union activity, prejudice, education, and celebrations.
David was a long time UAW member, first Latino sergeant-major in the Michigan National Guard, and County Commissioner. His father, Rafael, was a participant in the UAW Sit-Down Strike. He spoke of life in Flint, union activity, prejudice, education, and celebrations.
Las Damas de Guadalupe, Women’s Group at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Saginaw, MI
One of the oldest, continuous Mexicano groups in Michigan. It started in 1928 in Saginaw at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, though originally gathering only in homes due to discrimination. This group interview spoke about growing up in Saginaw, migrant work, integrating the Catholic Church, hosting La Novena, education, fighting to get a “mariachi-style” worship at church, and some progress erosion when new leadership came to the church in the new millennium.
One of the oldest, continuous Mexicano groups in Michigan. It started in 1928 in Saginaw at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, though originally gathering only in homes due to discrimination. This group interview spoke about growing up in Saginaw, migrant work, integrating the Catholic Church, hosting La Novena, education, fighting to get a “mariachi-style” worship at church, and some progress erosion when new leadership came to the church in the new millennium.
Efrain Gutierrez, Chicano Filmmaker, Former migrant worker to Great Lakes Region, San Antonio, TX
He spent many years traveling from Texas to the Great Lakes Region with his family as migrant workers. He provides tremendous detail on the process of traveling northward, details on picking various crops in the region (tomatoes, sugar beets, and cherries), educational challenges, and leisure activities
He spent many years traveling from Texas to the Great Lakes Region with his family as migrant workers. He provides tremendous detail on the process of traveling northward, details on picking various crops in the region (tomatoes, sugar beets, and cherries), educational challenges, and leisure activities
Emily Martinez, longtime activist and educator, Blissfield, MI
Grew up in Blissfield, Michigan after settling out of the migrant streams. She spoke heavily about growing up in public schools, the role of baseball and celebrations for forging community, discrimination and prejudice in school and society, and differentiation among laborers. She was a longtime educator and Latine equal rights advocate in Lenawee County
Grew up in Blissfield, Michigan after settling out of the migrant streams. She spoke heavily about growing up in public schools, the role of baseball and celebrations for forging community, discrimination and prejudice in school and society, and differentiation among laborers. She was a longtime educator and Latine equal rights advocate in Lenawee County
Rose San Miguel, Archivist at Saginaw Valley State University Library
Her parents originally migrated back-and-forth from Texas to Michigan to work in sugar beets until a fire one night in Michigan killed two of her brothers. After that, they remained in Michigan. Her father owned a farm outside Saginaw and employed migrant workers. She went to school in Saginaw and spoke about cultural celebrations, prejudice, education, and being “rebellious” by embracing American culture.
Her parents originally migrated back-and-forth from Texas to Michigan to work in sugar beets until a fire one night in Michigan killed two of her brothers. After that, they remained in Michigan. Her father owned a farm outside Saginaw and employed migrant workers. She went to school in Saginaw and spoke about cultural celebrations, prejudice, education, and being “rebellious” by embracing American culture.
Arturo Reyes and Art Reyes III, longtime United Auto Workers Members, Flint, MI
Their father, Arturo Sr., was a long-time employee at General Motors, as was Arturo. He told how his father experienced racism in the shop and how ran for shop-committeeman (first Latino to hold that position). He also spoke of growing up in Flint, Spanish-language films, UAW membership, and cultural celebrations
Their father, Arturo Sr., was a long-time employee at General Motors, as was Arturo. He told how his father experienced racism in the shop and how ran for shop-committeeman (first Latino to hold that position). He also spoke of growing up in Flint, Spanish-language films, UAW membership, and cultural celebrations
Cruz and Augustine Zamarripa, longtime United Auto Workers Members, Flint, MI
Their father, Apolonio, was a long-time employee at General Motors, as were they. They spoke of growing up in Flint, as well as about the lingering racism and neglect of the UAW in not offering promotions to their father until he learned better English in order to advocate for himself. Apolonio also was an active participant in the local grape boycotts of the UFW.
Their father, Apolonio, was a long-time employee at General Motors, as were they. They spoke of growing up in Flint, as well as about the lingering racism and neglect of the UAW in not offering promotions to their father until he learned better English in order to advocate for himself. Apolonio also was an active participant in the local grape boycotts of the UFW.