Oral Histories
photo by John Langmore, Austin Monthly
photo by John Langmore, Austin Monthly
Students will collect oral histories from longtime East Austin residents.
Students will be able to describe how gentrification has impacted an East Austin community member.
What are oral histories, and what is their historical importance?
How can oral histories be used as a form of resistance?
What can we learn from longtime residents of East Austin?
Based on the words "oral" and "history," what do you think oral histories may be?
Read the definition from The Oral History Association:
"Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events. Oral history is both the oldest type of historical inquiry, predating the written word, and one of the most modern, initiated with tape recorders in the 1940s and now using 21st-century digital technologies."
Explore some of the oral histories recorded on the Library of Congress website. What kinds of stories are being told here? Whose stories are being told?
Reflect: How might oral histories be a more inclusive form of recording the past? How do you think oral histories may be used in resistance movements?
Oral histories are recorded conversations, but the interviewer always plans those questions beforehand. Think about who you would like to interview, and plan out the questions you would like to ask. The best interview questions are ones that spark a lot of conversation and story telling-- try to stay away from yes/no questions.
Watch this video from the Smithsonian Institute to help plan your interview:
For even more resources on planning and conducting oral histories, visit the Smithsonian Institute's website.
When you're ready, choose a person you would like to interview, and begin planning the questions you would like to ask. If you don't know any longterm residents from East Austin, contact the Carver Museum so that they can connect you with someone.
Questions you may use, but you are not limited to:
How long have you lived in East Austin?
What are the reasons you moved to East Austin?
What has this community been like for you?
How have you seen it change?
How have the community businesses and organizations changed?
What used to be here and isn't anymore?
How have the houses around you changed?
How have the demographics of your neighborhood changed?
What problems or difficulties have you faced as a result of gentrification?
What is something that you want the rest of the community to know?
What is your dream for this community?
Write out your questions in advance. Once you have planned your questions, schedule a time to talk with the person you are interviewing.
Meet with your interviewee and record the interview. You can record this using video and audio, or just audio alone.
After recording your interview, decide who you would like to share it with and how you'll make it accessible. You may want to upload it to Youtube or Vimeo and share it with your classmates, your community, on social media, or with the Carver Museum.