Oral history is a powerful tool for social change. It can help to give voice to marginalized communities, document injustice, and inspire activism.
Here are some ways to use oral history for social change:
Document the experiences of marginalized communities. Oral history can help to give voice to people who have been historically silenced or ignored. By collecting and sharing the stories of marginalized communities, we can help to raise awareness of their experiences and perspectives.
Document injustice. Oral history can also be used to document injustice and human rights abuses. By collecting and sharing the stories of victims of injustice, we can help to hold perpetrators accountable and demand change.
Inspire activism. Oral history can also be used to inspire activism and social change. By sharing the stories of people who have fought for social justice, we can motivate others to take action and make a difference in the world.
Here are some specific examples of how oral history has been used for social change
The Civil Rights History Project has collected and archived over 1,700 oral history interviews with people who participated in the Civil Rights Movement. These interviews have been used to document the movement, inspire activism, and educate the public about the importance of civil rights. Some examples of oral history interviews with people who participated in the Civil Rights Movement include Rosa Parks (1913-2005) Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) James Meredith (born 1933) Diane Nash (Born 1938) Their stories are an important part of American history and can teach us valuable lessons about courage, perseverance, and the power of nonviolent resistance. The Civil Rights History Project is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.
The StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative has collected over 40,000 oral history interviews with veterans and their families. These interviews have been used to document the experiences of veterans, raise awareness of the challenges they face, and advocate for better support services. A few examples of participants in the StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative include Audie Murphy (1925-1971), John Kerry (born 1943) Tammy Duckworth (born 1968) Jessica Lynch (born 1983) Valerie Benet (born 1966) The interviews collected by the initiative provide a valuable record of the experiences of veterans and their families, and they can help us to better understand the impact of war on society. The StoryCorps Military Voices Initiative are available to the public at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has used oral history to document the experiences of victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC has used these interviews to build cases against perpetrators and hold them accountable. A few examples of participants in the ICC oral history project include Antonio Cassese (1937-2011), Luis Moreno-Ocampo (born 1952) Fatou Bensouda (born 1951) Richard Goldstone (born 1938) These are just a few examples of the many participants in the ICC oral history project. The interviews collected by the project provide a valuable record of the establishment and development of the ICC, as well as the experiences of the people who have worked to make the Court a reality. The ICC oral history interviews are available to the public at the SENSE Transitional Justice Center in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Women’s Oral History Project has collected and archived over 7,000 oral history interviews with women from all walks of life. These interviews have been used to document the experiences of women in the United States and to promote gender equality. A few examples of participants in the Women’s Oral History Project include Gloria Steinem (born 1934) Betty Friedan (1921-2006) Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020) These are just a few examples of the many participants in the Women’s Oral History Project. The interviews collected by the WOHP provide a valuable record of the experiences of women from all walks of life, and they can help us to better understand the contributions of women to American society. The WOHP oral history interviews are available to the public at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University.
African Oral History Archive: Created by the ICHIKOWITZ FAMILY FOUNDATION, this global effort records and showcases the continent’s acclaimed or unknown history makers, giving unprecedented access to all those who were at the heart of events that shaped Africa’s modern history. Over 172 interviews have been recorded, including former heads of state and government, foreign ministers and other key figures who have spoken freely of the difficult decisions they were called upon to make, the criteria by which their decisions were taken, and their personal fears and hopes for the liberation of South(ern) Africa. The African Oral History Collection is archived at Washington University Libraries.
The LGBTQ+ Oral History Project has collected and archived over 2,000 oral history interviews with LGBTQ+ people from all walks of life. These interviews have been used to document the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the United States and to promote LGBTQ+ rights. A few examples of participants in the LGBTQ+ Oral History Project include Barbara Gittings (1932-2007) Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002) Audre Lorde (1934-1992) These are just a few examples of the many participants in the LGBTQ+ Oral History Project. The LOHP oral history interviews are available to the public at the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco, California.
These are just a few examples of how oral history can be used for social change. There are many other ways to use oral history to make a difference in the world.
If you are interested in using oral history for social change, here are some tips:
Identify your goals. What do you want to achieve with your oral history project? Do you want to document the experiences of a particular community? Raise awareness of a particular issue? Inspire activism? Once you know your goals, you can tailor your project accordingly.
Be respectful and ethical. Oral history is a collaborative process. It is important to respect the autonomy and privacy of your interviewees. Obtain informed consent before conducting interviews, and be mindful of the potential risks and benefits of participation.
Make your oral histories accessible. Once you have collected and preserved your oral histories, make them accessible to the public. You can do this by archiving them with a local library or historical society, or by publishing them online or in print.
Use your oral histories to make a difference. Once your oral histories are accessible, use them to make a difference in the world. You can do this by sharing them with the media, using them to advocate for policy change, or incorporating them into educational programs.
That’s it for this blog post, I do hope it was helpful. If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment please do so in the comment section below.
Keep us in mind for all your oral history transcription needs and remember to always be kind, stay positive and learn to unwind.