In Oral History and Public Memory, Hamilton and Shopes compiled writings to illustrate the connectivity between oral history, public history, and public memory. Dividing the compilation into three sections, the book progressed from oral histories that reflected ‘official’ state histories, to memories of individuals that create a local public memory and history, and eventually to oral histories as social activism. Through this progression, the authors exhibited the role of oral history in creating and perpetuating public memory. In the final section, authors discussed instances where oral history challenged the status quo.
A prevailing theme revolved around the connectivity of the past, present and future. We have discussed in class the concern with the past affecting the present and future through public memory, and vice versa. Through the discussions of oral history and public memory, the power of the present to affect the memories and histories of the past was prevalent. In “History from Above,” the political context determined what memories were captured in the oral interviews. Describing three museums of gum industry history, “’Scars in the Ground’: Kauri Gum Stories” illustrated how current, and continuous, social relationships affected the narratives at the museums. Matakohe Kauri Museum focused on the British gumdiggers. Jurlina Family’s Gumstore Museum and Yelash Gumfield Museum discussed the relationships between Maori, Dalmatians, and the British; including the oppression and common social standing. The past and present intertwined in oral history and public memory in other ways. In some of the accounts, the past gave the present a chance to voice their opinions and strength to challenge accepted histories. The Japanese-Americans first discussed their experiences during interment at reparation trials. Breaking this silence allowed them to record their histories that challenged popular ideas of Japanese-Americans during World War II and forced encampment. RIki Van Boeschoten used oral history to confront stereotypes through a course she devised.
The layout of the book into three sections provided an excellent method of examining oral history. As I read the book, oral history became more intertwined in the stories of public memory and activism. In the beginning, the authors focused heavily on their experiences with oral history and what these histories provided. In later chapters, the oral history became another aspect of creating and challenging public memory and social issues. I found Van Boeschoten’s and Kerr’s chapters to be especially fascinating. The authors showed how private, personal memories challenge public memories. Kerr illustrated how marginalized, disadvantaged groups can use their oral histories for positive benefits. Oral history does not have to be something stored in an archive. It was interesting to see how oral histories can make positive changes in society especially after we conducted oral histories.
The varying ways that oral history can be used from scholarship to social change was something that had not occurred to me before reading this book. I agree that the layout was useful in giving a layered understanding to the ways oral history can be used. It might be interesting to see how oral history served in the civil rights movement (if at all).
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