Eugene, Oregon: June 6, 2011—My name is Lidiana Soto. I’m a graduating senior at the University of Oregon majoring in Ethnic Studies and Political Science. I had the opportunity to be a student in the Latino Roots courses that produced the videos you’re about to see on display upstairs in Special Collections [Latino Roots student documentaries]. Our Latino Roots courses brought together a group of 18 students over two quarters. During Latino Roots I, taught during winter quarter we learned about the racial/ethnic history of Oregon since more than 500 years ago and the place of Latino and Latin American history in that larger story. We also learned how to conduct oral history interviews and how to work a video camera. We each identified an individual or family whose story we have documented. We recorded an audio interview and then also a video interview. This quarter, during Latino Roots II, we learned how to shoot and edit our videos and each have produced an original ten minute documentary which we are going to present today. We are also archiving the audio file, video, a transcript, and finished video with the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives. We are, literally, making history [See story on CLLAS website].
Let me tell you something about my own story. I grew up in Mt. Angel, Oregon, and worked the fields of the fertile Willamette Valley alongside my family for many summers. (more…)