During winter term 2016, two OSU student activists Mai Xee Yang and Nicthé Verdugo worked with Charlene Martinez, Associate Director of Integrated Learning for Social Change within Diversity & Cultural Engagement, on a project entitled Voices Without Borders for their Arts and Social Justice Practicum course. For more information, see the OMA blog: http://wpmu.library.oregonstate.edu/oregon-multicultural-archives/2016/03/19/voiceswithoutborders/, Interview Summary: Part 1 of the interview begins with project participant introductions and with Verdugo explaining the interview purpose and structure. The purpose is to bring together the Hmong and Latino/Chicano communities to speak about the stories behind their families coming to the United States. The interview structure is for each person to have four minutes to share their story, followed by an opportunity for artistic expression, and closing with a reconvening to reflect on the stories shared and artwork created. The participants Alejandra Mendoza, Lorena Ambriz, Guadalupe Garcia, Warren Wang, Gina Chang, and Nitché Verdugo then share their parents’ immigration stories, their connections to their race/ethnicity, and reflections upon their own identities. In Part 2 Mai Xee Yang and Natalia Fernández share their family immigration stories and how they have shaped their lives. Audio file available via MediaSpace: https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_8rt11i4v, Project Participant Bios: Alejandra Mendoza was born in Fresno, CA and raised in Boardman, OR, and is majoring in Mathematics; Lorena Ambriz was born in Mexico, raised in Eastern Oregon, and is majoring in Sociology; Guadalupe “Lupe” Garcia is from Salem, OR, and is majoring in Human Development and Family Sciences; Warren Wang is from Portland, OR, and is majoring in Biochemistry/Biophysics; Gina Chang is from Portland, OR, and is majoring in Psychology; Nitché Verdugo is from Southern California and Mexico and is majoring in Ethnic Studies with a focus on Chicanx/Latinx Studies; Mai Xee Yang is from Portland, OR, and is earning a Bachelors in Fine Arts. Natalia Fernández is from Tucson, AZ, and is an archivist. Mendoza, Ambriz, Garcia, Verdugo, and Yang are members of M.E.Ch.A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán). Wang and Chang are members of the OSU Hmong Club.
Several fish laid out on a bed of ferns on a riverbank. A wooden sign above them reads, “Souson Kreek Katch, Hermy, Willy.” Fishing poles in a cross formation and a field notebook adorn the top of the arrangement.
Hand-colored, mounted lantern slide of Herman T. Bohlman stepping with his hat in a grassy field. Note on the slide reads, “Red Tails – 3 Weeks Old, No 7.”
Skirt suit of ivory taffeta ribbon knit in a scale-like pattern: a) Jacket of ribbon knit with round neckline and round yoke of sectioned layers of horizontal ribbons; three-quarter length sleeves with crescent shaped slits; jacket has a trim of stacked (tiered) crescent placed ribbons; two concealed hook and eye closures, one at neckline and one at bust; fully lined in peach faille b) Skirt of self-ribbon knit has 1 ½? waistband and straight silhouette; seams meet at the sides in crescent-shape that matches the sleeve ends; trimmed at the hem in the stacked crescent ribbons; side zip and hook and eye closure; lined with a slip of peach faille.
Pouch Bag of a circular shape of mustard yellow (turmeric) tatted lace with small floral medallion attached at center front; opening at top; for holding a pocket watch; no closures or straps; type of embroidery done by Anatolian women called, Oya.
Convent sampler of a variety of open-work lace stitches with a blue silk back that shows through; eight blocks show different patterned open-work and Ajour lace.
Textile Panel of ecru silk taffeta brocaded in silver and bronze metallic threads and yellow silk; design of overlapping loops forming inner spaces, four of which are filled with tulip motif and the center with a simple flower motif; a hand-woven reproduction of an early Italian design.