Latinx Georgia Oral History Project

Descriptive Summary
Title: Latinx Georgia Oral History Project
Creator: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Inclusive Dates: 2020 - ongoing
Language(s): English
Extent: 3 interview(s)
Collection Number: RBRL487LGOH
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies

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Collection Description

Scope and Content

The Latinx Georgia Oral History Project is part of a partnership with the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies and the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) to collect and preserve the modern history of Georgia Latinx communities through oral history interviews, organizational records and other collections. Oral histories will be a bilingual collection of first-person, Latinx personal narratives and experiences about life in Georgia.

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Administrative Information

Preferred citation

Latinx Georgia Oral History Project, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Copyright Information

Resources may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2021.

General Notes

The use of "Latinx" in this project aims to decenter the gender binary which is often implicit in the use of the male "Latino" and the female equivalent, "Latina." Latinx allows for a more complete representation of the varied voices that make up a community which include non-binary, transgender, and gender noncomforming individuals. Grounded in queer activist efforts and taken up by academia in spaces such as Critical Ethnic Studies, Latinx Studies, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, the use of "Latinx" grounds this oral history project in important contemporary conversations about inclusivity and representation.

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Related Materials and Subjects

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

LGOH-001 Brenda Lopez Romero interviewed by Iliana Yamileth Rodriguez

1 interview(s) 117 minutes

Brenda Lopez Romero was born in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and immigrated to Georgia with her parents while she was a young child. As a first generation scholar, Romero recounts her experiences dealing with racism within public schools, university, and the professional sphere. After completing law school, Romero opened her law firm and ran for the Georgia Assembly, becoming the first Latina in the Georgia legislature. In this interview, Romero shares how the political landscape of Georgia has changed over her lifetime and the need for Latino representation.

Remote interview.

LGOH-001 Brenda Lopez Romero audio and interview index Access Online

 

LGOH-002 Sam Zamarripa interviewed by Iliana Yamileth Rodriguez

1 interview(s) 85 minutes

Sam Zamarripa was born in Fort Benning to a Mexican immigrant and an American national. As his father was in the military, Zamarripa's family moved often, but he considers himself a Southerner. In this interview, Zamarripa discusses his responsibility to his community and how he became the first Latino in the Georgia state legislature, including the obstacles he overcame to do so. Zamarripa describes the influence that his father's family had on his life, notably in the discovery of his identity, and how being a Latino in the South has affected his work.

Remote interview.

LGOH-002 Sam Zamarripa audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

LGOH-003 Jeffrey Tapia interviewed by Iliana Yamileth Rodriguez

1 interview(s) 100 minutes

Jeffrey Tapia is the former Executive Director of the Latin American Association (LAA) as well as the former Director of Hispanic Services at Catholic Social Services. Tapia has dedicated her life to serving the Latino community through outreach. In this interview, Tapia details the work that she has done with the Latino community from working with migrant workers to translating for National Geographic in Nicaragua. She goes on to describe her time at Catholic Social Services and the LAA. Tapia also discusses issues related to anti-immigrant sentiment, education discrimination, and labor abuse.

Remote interview.

LGOH-003 Jeffrey Tapia audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

LGOH-004 Maritza Soto Keen interviewed by Iliana Yamileth Rodriguez

1 interview(s) 78 minutes

Maritza Soto Keen is an associate director and senior public service faculty at the Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia. Keen has also spent many years leading the Latin American Association as the Executive Director of the Program. In this interview, Keen talks about her time working with the Latin American Association. She details the advocacy that she has done throughout the years with the Latino community and her continued advocacy as she branched out into education.

Remote interview.

LGOH-004 Maritza Soto Keen audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

LGOH-005 Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker interviewed by Ashton Ellett

1 interview(s) 62 minutes

Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Cuban refugees before they settled in Atlanta. Throughout her career, Whitaker has worked various jobs in journalism, with one of her earliest positions being booker and producer of the show Space Ghost Coast to Coast. In this interview, Whitaker talks about her experience as a Latína in the South, the influence of her mother on her life, and how she has come into activism in her later career.

Memphis, Tennessee

LGOH-005 Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker video and interview index in OHMS Access Online