WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
The Latino Oral History Project of Rhode Island
The Latino Oral History Project of Rhode Island began in 1991 when I met and recorded the memories of Josefina Rosario who had been co-owner (with her husband, Tony) of “Fefa’s Market,” the first Hispanic bodega (market) in Rhode Island. In subsequent years, I met with and recorded the voices of many other Latino pioneers, among them community activists, social service providers, artists, health care providers, elected officials, educators and others. Other projects: The Hispanic Heritage Committee of RI and the César Chávez Scholarship Fund of RI. [NOTE: In 2014, the oral history project became a book, and Marta’s hope is that its contents will eventually become part of the 4th grade Rhode Island school curriculum.]
DESCRIBE YOUR WORK
My work with my oral history project involves meeting and listening to individuals who feel they have a personal story to tell. In my Latino culture, we transmit knowledge and expressions of culture from one generation to the next by word of mouth or by example.
Traditional historians spend a lot of time trying to collect history by looking into the archives of scholarly organizations and libraries. But not all of us have an archive at home, instead what we have is living history. The people whom we love have stories that we need to hear. This, I believe, is an important way for a community to participate in the making of history: by sharing first-person accounts about a particular event in local or national history, or especially within our own families that can mean something to future generations. It’s a way of personalizing history, and I like that. By listening, carefully gathering, documenting and sharing these memories, I feel I am making a difference and making history available to future generations to come.
I also enjoy working with young people. They are so full of energy, have great ideas and are very eager to be involved. My work with oral histories also focuses on the idea of connecting young people with the past so that they can learn from their elders, and in turn they can continue the process of education and preservation of their culture and history into the future.
WITH WHOM DO YOU MOST OFTEN COLLABORATE?
I try to collaborate with people who share my interests and passion for making a difference in the lives of young people. I also enjoy working with innovative and creative individuals who don’t have big egos, those who I consider to be "quiet leaders."
Through my writing and publication work, I like to bring people to the forefront who are making things happen; those quiet, unsung heroes who have a lot to give, take the time to do it, yet don’t feel a need to shout from the highest mountain.
WHY DO YOU THINK COLLABORATIONS ARE SO IMPORTANT?
Many people don’t see that collaborations have potential benefits. I strongly believe that people must work together and learn from each other, share knowledge, and pool resources. We as adults must learn that what we leave behind for our children can only happen if we collaborate in everything we do. After all, we are their role models and teachers, and our children are our future. We teach our children that teamwork is important in the classroom, sports and at play because no one can do it alone.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I am especially proud of my accomplishments during my tenure as the Executive Director of CHisPA because it was during that time, the 1990s, when great social change happened in R.I. and also across the country. There was a great deal of energy in the Latino community and it was very exciting to be part of that movement. People were looking to work together to make change. Government agencies, the private sector, communities of color, and key elected officials collaborated in wonderful ways, and everyone benefited. The Latino community was growing, people were waking up and seeing the value of political power, community involvement and social change. It was an exciting time, and after being part of that movement, I am proud at the thought that young people today have benefitted from what was accomplished during that time.
