2024 Oral History Association Annual Meeting

Oral History the Redefinition of Documenting the Past: UAE Model, Aisha Bilkhair

In this presentation I will address the United Arab Emirates' efforts in documenting the past, analyzing the present and sustaining this work for the future. it is an attempt to illustrate key aspects of the documentation process from the setting up of various program initiatives and their social impact and overall outcomes. the presentation highlights the active role of the older generation in preserving Oral History via social media and digital platforms and applications.

ABSTRACT: Oral History the Redefinition of Documenting the Past: UAE Model In 2009, Victor W. Geraci, Ph.D. of the Regional Oral History Office, The Bancroft LibraryUniversity of California, Berkeley visited the United Arab Emirates, UAE to assist the National Library and Archives (NLA) in setting its own Oral History department. Since then, the department has recorded over 1000 interviews with narrators from various backgrounds. this presentation will illustrate key aspects of the documentation process from the setting up various program initiatives and their social impact and overall outcomes which include the following: ▪ The UAE as the union of the seven emirates (states) was established in 1971. Due to limited access to education at that time knowledge circulated orally. Most information was passed on from one generation to another. Therefore, the objectives of the Oral History Department gave its priority to the collection of all aspects of memory which included personal and eye witnessed accounts as well as space, dialect, vanishing forms of speeches, travel, desert life, tolerance and coexistence, etc. ▪ The presentation will discuss how the cultural association’s initiatives bridge the past to the present by involving narrators in cultural and historical festivals and activities. These activities allow the older public to relive the past and interact with the younger generation and individuals. This allows the older folks to directly answer the youth’s questions directly. The physical reconstruction of the past allows both narrators and those they interact with to create a new memory based on survival, one’s adaptability and ability to co-existence. ▪ Narrators are considered national treasures. Their role in activating the past and their participation avoids any marginalization. Many of them and especially Salem Al Room, a notable poet from Dubai has actively been involved on social media. Regardless of his 80+ years, he is constantly recorded and posted on the different applications and digital platforms. This adaptation and transparency activate both his memory and enlightens youth about his creative arts and other aspects of life. ▪ Additionally, the local weekly program Swalef Yadooh translates to “stories of grandmothers” features three grandmothers who compare and contrast images and stories of the past and present them to the audience in a creative way. The program serves the wider community in bringing together different times and spaces. The main objective is to bring the next generation closer to their roots and not to take what their eye sees of today’s achievements for granted. They stress the importance of values, principles, tolerance, coexistence and peace as a lifestyle. ▪ Youth initiatives include awareness training lectures, including questions, and answers regarding the local dialect. These trainings and lectures are an attempt to save the terms of the local dialect. The Young Historian Award encourages youngsters to conduct oral history interviews with members of their family. This action narrows the generational gaps and enables young people to communicate and converse with older members of their family with ease. Students are awarded from first to third position the amount of $2,000, $1,500, $1,000 respectively. NLA believes that some of these winners may become future serious historians.

Can’t Believe It’s Not Oral History (or Maybe I Can): Methodological Uses of Oral History in Community Partnership, Daniel Horowitz Garcia

This presentation highlights two partnerships in Atlanta: an attempt to gather stories of those sentenced to life without parole as children; and interviews on political participation with activists and data scientists. I show how using oral history best practices, even if not especially in non-oral history projects, leads to better outcomes for both the oral historian and the community organizations involved.

ABSTRACT: Community partnership works best when oral history is considered a set of research methodologies with its own set of best practices rather than a discipline. This presentation will highlight two partnerships in Atlanta: an attempt to gather stories of those sentenced to life without parole as children; and interviews with data scientists and various activists on data management and political participation. I show how the use of oral history best practices, even if not especially in non-oral history projects, leads to better outcomes for both the oral historian and the community organizations involved.

Our History Matters: Bridging Communities Through Oral History, Jamie Thompson

In this session of "Our History Matters" podcast series, we explored the importance of historical preservation and oral history, featuring case studies from Cincinnati and interviews with local historians, genealogists, curators, and community leaders. We analyzed the significance of BIPOC histories, discussed the role of podcasts in democratizing access to historical knowledge, and engaged with our audience through a dynamic Q&A session.

ABSTRACT: "Our History Matters" is a podcast series dedicated to exploring the significance of historical preservation, oral history, and public history within local small communities in America, with a focus on the Cincinnati area. The podcast serves as a platform to raise awareness of current issues while emphasizing the interconnectedness of local histories with broader American narratives.Each episode features insightful interviews with local historians, genealogists, curators, and community leaders, delving into the rich tapestry of Cincinnati's history. Through these conversations, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving and sharing diverse narratives, especially those often marginalized or overlooked in mainstream discourse.One of the unique aspects of "Our History Matters" is the incorporation of oral history interviews conducted by the presenter. These interviews provide a firsthand account of personal experiences and perspectives, offering a more intimate connection to the past. Additionally, each interviewee is asked to articulate why their history matters, highlighting the relevance and urgency of preserving minority histories, particularly in the face of attempts to erase or diminish them.By combining history with the accessible medium of podcasts, "Our History Matters" ensures that historical knowledge is readily available to a wide audience. This approach is particularly crucial in addressing the issue of minority histories being excluded from educational curricula, as the podcast provides an alternative platform for learning and engagement.