2024 Oral History Association Annual Meeting

Embracing the Past, Present, and Future of Socialist Movement in India: Unveiling Narratives through Oral History, Rajesh Prasad & Praveena Patel

This project aims to explore the history and evolution of the Socialist movement in India through oral history narratives. It will use personal stories from different generations of people who were involved in or affected by the movement to reveal its diverse and complex impacts on the society and politics of India. It will also analyze how the idea of Socialism in India has changed over time and how different political parties have used it for their own purposes. The project will also reflect on the challenges and benefits of oral history work in India and its implications for the future of the movement.

ABSTRACT: This paper explores the extensive history of the Socialist Movement in India by analyzing more than fifty oral history narratives. These narratives provide a diverse range of perspectives that go beyond traditional sources such as textbooks and statistics. By immersing in these personal experiences, both pre- and post-independence India, this paper will uncover hidden stories, illuminate forgotten perspectives, and gain profound insights into the movement's enduring influence on the nation's socio-political fabric.The paper will attempt to extend beyond archives, engaging with contemporary socialist leaders, activists, and individuals touched by the movement. This intergenerational dialogue allows the paper to trace the evolution of the "idea of Socialism" in India, revealing how perceptions and interpretations have transformed within the country's dynamic political landscape. This paper will also shed light on the intricate relationship between socialist ideologies and political strategies by examining how various political parties in India have utilized socialism as a tool for mobilization and, at times, manipulation.It should be noted that more than just data collection, this project will be a journey of empathy and reflection. Therefore, this paper will examine the inspirations, challenges, and innovations that have shaped oral history practices in India, offering a critical analysis of the impact such work has on both practitioners and communities. Through this multifaceted approach, this paper aims to bridge the past, present, and future of the Indian socialist movement, ensuring its vibrant legacy continues to resonate in the years to come.

The Williamsburg Bray School - The Past Speaks to Its Present, Tonia Merideth

The Williamsburg Bray School had been hiding in plain sight on the campus of William & Mary for over 200 years until dendrochronology confirmed it to be the building the school operated out of for its first five years of operation. The story of the 300 or more free and enslaved children had been obscured for history. The descendant community has played an active role in guiding the interpretation of the Williamsburg Bray School by participating in seminars and lectures highlighting the legacy of the Bray "scholars" with the hope/expectation that the content of oral histories conducted on the descendant community will guide the interpretation of the site when it opens in the fall of 2024.

ABSTRACT: The Williamsburg Bray School operated from 1760 to 1774 and educated over 300 free and enslaved children in Williamsburg, Virginia. While the story of the Bray school was used in interpretations at Colonial Williamsburg, the story mainly focused on the school's white teacher, Anne Wager. In 2021, the building that housed the Bray School the first five years of its operation was discovered hiding in plain sight on the campus of William & Mary. It was scheduled for demolition when dendrochronology confirmed it to be the building the school operated out of. William & Mary, together with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, created the Bray School Initiative to rediscover the legacy of the Bray School and search for the descendants of the students who attended the school. Only three years of rosters exist for its fourteen years of operation. My presentation seeks to tell the story of the school that has not been told, discuss the efforts of the descendant community (of which I am a member) to be a part of telling the story of their ancestors, and use the content in the oral histories I am conducting to help guide the interpretation of the building scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.