One New York-based organization is making Latino history, one conversation at a time.
An oral national history initiative launched in September 2009, StoryCorps Historias brings together generations of Latinos and records their stories in an effort to preserve and share family history, as well as bring greater understanding to these communities. People are encouraged to “cuenta tu historia,” or tell your story.
“Everyone’s story is important, they should not be forgotten and it is our mission to ensure that they are passed along,” said Diana Velez-Griffin, a StoryCorps Historias representative.
Since inception, StoryCorps Historias surpassed their goal of 700 stories, with 850 interviews and counting. The original StoryCorps, which project started in 2003, travelled across the country in mobile recording booths and gave participants the opportunity to conduct an interview with a person important to them, about any topic. Since then, over 50,000 people have recorded their stories.
With a reservation, participants visit the StoryBooth locations or recording studio trailers and tell their stories. In sessions of 40, individuals can interview a partner about anything and everything, including greatest achievements, earliest memories and love stories.
Storytellers receive a CD with their conversation at the end of the session, and every story is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress for public availability. With permission, excerpts are featured every Friday morning on National Public Radio’s (NPR) “Morning Edition” and are also posted on the organization’s web site.
StoryCorps Historias has partnered with numerous Latino community organizations to spread the word about their free public service, as Velez-Griffin explains that the Latino community does not have many heavy NPR listeners. Their mission is described as a “grass-roots effort” to unite. Participants can speak in Spanish and bilingual facilitators are on hand to assist.
Velez-Griffin explains the power of the stories through their simplicity.
“Usually we cry when we hear them, they’re very moving. Then there are uplifting tales of marriage, or finishing school. It’s never boring, and what ties all of these stories together is everyday people wanting a better life and remembering that.”
“There is a way to pass on your history, and it’s that easy,” said Velez-Griffin.
To record a story, make a reservation at 800-850-4406 or register online at www.storycorpshistorias.org. The NYC StoryBooth is located in Foley Square in Manhattan.
