A Guide to the Immigrant Narratives Project Oral Histories, 2020-2022 SdArch 45

A Guide to the Immigrant Narratives Project Oral Histories, 2020-2022 SdArch 45


[logo]

James Madison University Libraries Special Collections

820 Madison Drive
MSC 1706
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Telephone: (540) 568-3612
library-special@jmu.edu
URL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/

Bodeene Amyot Cairdeas

Repository
James Madison University Libraries Special Collections
Identification
SdArch 45
Title
Immigrant narratives project oral histories 2020-2022
Quantity
3.89 Gigabytes, 36 digital files
source
Fagan, Allison E., 1982-
Language
English .
Abstract
The Immigrant Narratives Project Oral Histories, 2020-2022 comprises twelve sound recordings and transcripts of oral history interviews with immigrants residing in Harrisonburg, Virginia. James Madison University students in Dr. Allison Fagan's class, ENG 360: Immigrant Narratives, conducted and transcribed the interviews.

Administrative Information

Use Restrictions

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. Contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu) for more information.

Access Restrictions

Collection open to research. Agreements with the interviewees govern access to Oral Histories. Interviewees have chosen pseudonyms in two of the interviews. Due to the disclosure of sensitive information, the repository has restricted one of the nine interviews.

Preferred Citation

[Last name, First name], Oral history interview conducted by [Interviewer's First name Last name], [Month DD, YYYY], Immigrant Narratives Project Oral Histories, 2020-2022, SdArch 45, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

Processing Information

At the time of accession, interviews with Ana Arias and Zee Alkhater existed across multiple MPEG 1 Layer 3 (.mp3) audio files. Special Collections staff merged the audio files and amended the timecodes in the corresponding transcripts to reflect the appended clips, generating linear PCM (.wav) files of the sound recordings for preservation.


Biographical / Historical

In the spring of 2020, students in Dr. Allison Fagan's course, ENG 360: Immigrant Narratives, conducted four oral history interviews with immigrants living in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The following spring of 2021, Dr. Fagan's ENG 360 class students conducted five oral history interviews with local immigrants. In spring of 2022, ENG 360 students conducted three oral history interviews. Dr. Fagan selected interview participants, and students attended Institutional Review Board (IRB) training for research involving human subjects. Many of the 2020 and 2021 interviews were conducted virtually amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Students conducted original research, designed treatments and slates of questions, recorded, edited, and transcribed the interviews. Students received informed consent at the time of the interview, and gift agreements were secured upon review and approval of transcripts and recordings by interview participants. The objective of the assignment was to deepen students' understanding of authority and agency in storytelling and amplify the voices of immigrant storytellers. The project culminated in a podcast series entitled "Harrisonburg 360: Real People. Real stories. One Community," accessible at https://sites.lib.jmu.edu/immigrantharrisonburg/.

From the Immigrant Harrisonburg website: "Every person deserves a chance to share their story, and we, as a class, are privileged to share these stories with you in hopes of expanding perceptions of what it means to be an immigrant in Harrisonburg."

As of 2019, foreign-born persons comprise 17.1% of the Harrisonburg city population. This collection contains oral history interviews with individuals who emigrated to the United States between 1975 and 2017 and sheds light on the Harrisonburg immigrant experience. Immigrants from Syria, Iraqi Kurdistan, Vietnam, South Korea, Mexico, Brazil, and El Salvador are represented.

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the experience of immigrants residing in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The collection comprises sound recordings and transcripts from twelve oral history interviews conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Completed by James Madison University students in Dr. Allison Fagan's class, ENG 360: Immigrant Narratives, the oral histories include topics related to the immigrant experience in Harrisonburg, Virginia, such as resettlement, cultural adaptation, xenophobia, and identity. Materials include 36 digital files comprised of audio recordings (.wav and .mp3), and corresponding transcripts (.pdf).

This collection does not include episodes from the "Harrisonburg 360: Real People. Real stories. One Community" podcast series.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into three series. Interviews are arranged alphabetically by last name of interviewee.

Oral History Interviews, 2020 Oral History Interviews, 2021 Oral History Interviews, 2022

Subjects and Indexing Terms

  • Immigrants -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- 20th century
  • Fagan, Allison E., 1982-
  • Immigrants -- Virginia -- Harrisonburg -- 21st century
  • oral histories (literary works)

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

  • Ali, Hiba
  • Alkhater, Zeinab
  • Arias, Ana
  • Beddow, Jessie
  • Bruno, Sarah
  • Carrington, Balser
  • Cañas, Jaime
  • Comer, Olivia
  • Fagan, Allison E., 1982-
  • Figueroa, Heber David
  • Foster, Candy
  • Frank, Jasmine
  • Gick, Arielle
  • Graff, Emily
  • Hennessey, Kevin
  • Landrum, Corinne
  • Lawrence-Hovey, Charlotte
  • Liske, Kelsey
  • Lublin, Zoe
  • Mahdi, Salwa
  • Martin, Corinne
  • Mullaney, Patrick
  • Myers, Kara
  • Pezza, Izabella
  • Pineda-Hernandez, Michelle
  • Reisenberg, Michael
  • Saucedo, Paloma
  • Saunders, Alayna
  • Stamm, Anoush
  • White, James
  • White, Madison
  • Williams, India
  • Zapp, Jordan

Significant Places Associated With the Collection

  • Brazil -- Emigration and immigration
  • El Salvador -- Emigration and immigration
  • Korea (South) -- Emigration and immigration
  • Kurdistãn (Iraq) -- Emigration and immigration
  • Mexico -- Emigration and immigration
  • Syria -- Emigration and immigration
  • Vietnam -- Emigration and immigration

Container List

1
Oral History Interviews
2020
Scope and Contents

This series contains four oral history interviews with immigrants in Harrisonburg conducted by James Madison University students in Dr. Allison Fagan's class, ENG 360: Immigrant Narratives, in spring 2020. The repository has restricted one of the interviews due to the disclosure of sensitive information.

  • SdArch45-6
    Zee Alkhater interviewed by Corinne Martin
    Alkhater, ZeinabMartin, CorinneCarrington, BalserLiske, Kelsey
    519 Megabytes 1 digital file (.wav)
    29 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    0:31:28 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2020 March 2English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-WAV-0006.mp3


    cv4bn9z55q   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685992754   
    Scope and Contents

    Records the reminiscences of Zee Alkhater, an immigrant from Iraq who fled to Syria, emigrating nine years later, on July 29, 2012, from Syria to Modesto, California. Alkhater relocated to Woodbridge, Virginia, and eventually settled with her two children in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Discusses her experience living in Harrisonburg, xenophobia, Bachelor's degree, and foreign education evaluation in the United States. Describes support for immigrants in Harrisonburg, resilience, culture, intimate community relations in Syrian culture, and hopes for better cultural representation in Harrisonburg. Alkhater also comments on plans to visit Syria with her children. Topics discussed include cultural adaptation, maintenance of home culture, and the challenge of sustaining one's native language and culture with children. Alkhater discloses her experience with violence in Syria and the birth of her two children amid the Syrian civil war. Alkhater also discusses her work as an animation writer in Syria and her aspirations to become a novelist. Finally, Alkhater reflects on what has helped her through hardship and the lessons her experience has taught her.

  • SdArch45-7
    Ana Arias interviewed by Arielle Gick
    Arias, AnaGick, ArielleMyers, KaraWhite, Madison
    262 Megabytes 1 digital file (.wav)
    12 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    1:11:33 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2020 February 2English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-WAV-0007.mp3


    kk94747t0k   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685733627   
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with Ana Arias, who emigrated to Santa Barbara, California, from Brazil, to attend college at the age of seventeen. Arias describes daily life with three sons and her work as a trauma therapist and kickboxing instructor. Discusses culture shock, experience at Westmont College, bilingualism, cultural incongruence, and return to Brazil. Describes transfer to Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, her degree in Counseling Psychology, and working as an interpreter for the Migrant Education Program. Discusses the importance of cultural literacy in counseling relationships and the journey to James Madison University, where she earned a Master of Arts degree and Educational Specialist degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Recounts work as a crisis counselor for Rockingham County Schools, twelve years spent as a trauma therapist at the Collins Center, eventually serving as Associate Director, and the symptoms that led to transitioning away from sexual abuse counseling. Describes her current position as a School Mental Health Counselor at Harrisonburg City Public Schools. Arias also discusses her parents' background, who married in Panama, joined the Peace Corps, and settled in the Amazon rainforest in Manaus, Brazil, where Arias was born. Describes early life in the Amazon, Panama, and Brasília. Topics discussed include transition to American life and experience living in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Finally, Arias discusses time spent living in Panama, when the de facto ruler of Panama Manuel Noriega was in power, the United States invasion of Panama, her intimate experiences with warfare, and the family's return to Brasília, Brazil. Includes reference to the School of the Americas (now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation).

  • SdArch45-9
    Melissa Menjivar interviewed by Michelle Pineda-Hernandez
    Pineda-Hernandez, MichelleStamm, AnoushWhite, James
    141 Megabytes 1 digital file (.wav)
    8 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    0:08:33 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2020 February 28English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-WAV-0009.mp3


    183416ts9s   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734072   
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with Melissa Menjivar, who is from San Salvador, El Salvador, and who emigrated with her family to the United States in 2017. Discusses challenges learning English as a foreign language, cultural differences between the United States and El Salvador, and schooling experiences. Discusses attending school in El Salvador until the 12th grade. Comments on academic success in the United States. Includes reference to danger faced in El Salvador.

2
Oral History Interviews
2021
Scope and Contents

This series contains five oral history interviews with immigrants in Harrisonburg conducted by James Madison University students in Dr. Allison Fagan's class, ENG 360: Immigrant Narratives, in spring 2021.

  • SdArch45-1
    Hiba Ali interviewed by Jordan Zapp
    Ali, HibaZapp, Jordan
    40.2 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    0:47:53 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2021 March 12English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-WAV-0001.mp3


    610vq2t170   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734090   
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with Hiba Ali, who was born in Paris, France, and moved with her family to Damascus, Syria at the age of four and a half. Relates her immigration to the United States in 2013 with her then-husband. Describes her childhood in the capital of Syria, Damascus, a city with a rich multicultural history, and her numerous travels, including trips to Paris and the United States. Discusses her cultural identity, Muslim background, and growing up in a Christian neighborhood. Comments on the generosity of spirit and openness of the Syrian people. Ali recounts her decision to relocate to the United States to pursue a Master's degree in pharmacology. Describes her decision to relocate from Fairfax to Harrisonburg and separate from her husband. Includes references to domestic violence. Among the topics discussed are community, assimilation, education, childhood, parents' background, experience as an elder child, career aspirations, women's empowerment, motherhood, maintenance of home culture, and immigration. Ali also comments on her experience reconciling the events in the Middle East with her personal memories.

  • SdArch45-2
    Salwa Mahdi interviewed by Candy Foster
    Mahdi, SalwaFoster, Candy
    57.7 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    0:40:00 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2021 March 15English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-WAV-0002.mp3


    057cr5p672   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734107   
    Scope and Contents

    Records the reminiscences of Salwa Mahdi, a refugee from Iraqi Kurdistan. Describes fleeing Saddam Hussein's forces in October 1996 at the age of 31 with her brother due to her work with an organization associated with the United States. Details her experience leaving family behind, the journey from Zakho to Turkey, five months spent in a refugee camp in Guam, seeking asylum in the United States, and her first residence in the United States in Erie, Pennsylvania. Describes her family and their support of women's education. Discusses her degree in business with a focus on statistics from a university in Iraq. Mahdi describes her assimilation into American society and life in Harrisonburg. Topics discussed include women's rights, education, the Covid-19 pandemic, multilingualism, asylum-seeking, and Iraqi Kurdish resettlement. Recounts learning English as a foreign language and fluency in Kurdish and Arabic. Discusses her multiple careers in Harrisonburg as an interpreter, hairstylist, and business owner. Recounts explosion caused by a natural gas leak at Miller Circle in Harrisonburg, Virginia on October 17, 2020, which decimated Naza Salon and Barber Shop. Mahdi also comments on her dream to become a math teacher and discusses steps to achieve that goal.

  • SdArch45-3
    Que Hang Pham interviewed by Jasmine Frank
    Frank, Jasmine
    11.6 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    0:48:09 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2021 March 15English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-WAV-0003.mp3


    0z70v8bf27   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734126   
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with Que Hang Pham, whose family resettled in the United States following the fall of Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) to the People's Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong in April 1975. Hang Pham, who was eight years old, recounts the dangerous evacuation journey by sea from Vietnam to Hong Kong, time spent in refugee camps in Hong Kong and Arkansas, and eventual resettlement in Richmond, Virginia. Topics discussed include second language acquisition, elementary education, parents' graduate education and teaching careers, scholarships awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University, the value of education, upbringing, cultural adaptation, and traditional Vietnamese foodways and lifeways. Describes travels, fluency in Vietnamese, English, and Spanish, a degree in Business Information Systems, and work for IBM and the Department of Transportation. Includes references to the impact of cultural heritage on identity and self-formation.

  • SdArch45-4
    Mikey Reisenberg interviewed by Patrick Mullaney
    Reisenberg, MichaelMullaney, Patrick
    77.6 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    0:53:58 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2021 March 19English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-WAV-0004.mp3


    rr1pg1js3w   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734144   
    Scope and Contents

    Records the reminiscences of Michael Reisenberg, born in Seoul, South Korea, and adopted in 1986 by parents living in Grottoes, Virginia, at two months old. Describes Reisenberg's studies at Blue Ridge Community College and James Madison University, where he earned a degree in History. Discusses culinary arts and experience as a chef and owner of Mashita, a Korean restaurant in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Describes growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, working for various businesses, and the importance of work ethic. Among the topics discussed are culinary arts training and mentorship, cooking techniques, food preparation, childhood food experiences, Korean cuisine, and implicit bias. Reisenberg also discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Mashita, Mashita's community philanthropy efforts, and the challenges to restaurants posed by the Covid-19 pandemic affecting food supply chain shortages.

  • SdArch45-5
    Paloma Saucedo interviewed by Olivia Comer
    Saucedo, PalomaComer, OliviaHennessey, KevinLandrum, Corinne
    75.5 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    0:52:26 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2021 March 16English.
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with Paloma Saucedo, who emigrated to Greenville, Virginia from Saltillo, Mexico, with her then-husband at the age of twenty. Describes childhood, cultural traditions and protocols, and ancestors. Topics discussed include cultural adaptation, collectivist and individualist cultures, and xenophobia. Saucedo recounts the decision to emigrate to the United States and the experience of acclimating to rural Virginia. Discusses the birth of her daughter, the September 11 attacks, attitudes toward immigrants, and returning to Mexico. Describes moving to Waynesboro from Mexico and the birth of her second daughter. Includes references to experience as an undocumented immigrant and permanent resident. Saucedo also comments on her university experience, bilingual education, Blue Ridge Community College education, and administrative work at a hospital. Discusses move to Harrisonburg, political and civic engagement, naturalization, and citizenship. Describes experience as Executive Director of the Valley AIDS Network and innovating the food pantry to serve the community. Describes operating an inclusive childcare center, Arcoiris Day Care, that centers social and environmental justice and anti-racist education. Recounts planning Spanish language public programming, children's services, and collection development for the Waynesboro Public Library. Describes community organizing in Harrisonburg and running for Harrisonburg City Council in 2018. Discusses gender identity, perspectives on early childhood education, teaching English in Mexico, and community.

3
Oral History Interviews
2022
  • SdArch45-10
    Jaime Cañas interviewed by Charlotte Lawrence-Hovey
    Cañas, JaimeLawrence-Hovey, CharlotteSaunders, Alayna
    10 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    22:00:00 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2022 March 12English.

    [Aviary] Jaime Cañas interviewed by Charlotte Lawrence-Hovey, 2022 March 12


    d21rf5mm2w   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734182   
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with Jaime Cañas, conducted on March 12, 2022, by Charlotte Lawrence-Hovey using Squadcast. Recounts Cañas' early life, emigration from El Salvador at age three, his family life, and family history. Recounts the realities of language barriers and experience serving as an interpreter for his parents. Discusses the value of independence and self-sufficiency. Includes references to immigration status, post-secondary education, and lack of financial aid availability. Cañas also discusses support from friends and comments on his experiences with discrimination.

  • SdArch45-11
    Heber David Figueroa interviewed by India Williams
    Figueroa, Heber DavidWilliams, IndiaBruno, SarahBeddow, Jessie
    19 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    00:21:08 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2022 March 11English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-DO-11.mp3


    x34mk66h41   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734199   
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with David Figueroa, conducted on March 11, 2022, by India Williams at Showker Hall, James Madison University. Recounts Figueroa's student life, family origins in Honduras and West Africa, and childhood in Harrisonburg, Chicago, New Jersey, Boston, and New York. Describes parents' emigration from Honduras to the United States. Discusses family life, notions of home, educational experiences, and language barriers. Includes references to racial discrimination. Figueroa also comments on his interest in rockets and spacecraft. Discusses career decisions. Recounts challenges as a college student.

  • SdArch45-12
    Izabella Pezza interviewed by Emily Graff
    Pezza, IzabellaGraff, EmilyLublin, Zoe
    50 Megabytes 1 digital file (.mp3)
    00:54:07 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)
    2022 March 11English.

    [Aviary] SdArch45-DO-12.mp3


    q23qv3dd06   Harrisonburg360Podcast.jpg?1685734221   
    Scope and Contents

    Records an interview with Izabella Pezza, conducted on March 11, 2022, by Emily Graff at Carrier Library, James Madison University. Recounts Pezza's experiences in the Cambodian community in Rhode Island. Discusses cultural traditions, foodways, representation, and biracial identity.