CSULB students' quest to recover, reclaim Latine history

Cal State Long Beach students are discovering they have the power to correct mainstream narratives that may have gone untold or mistold.

The Archival Quest: Reclaiming Latinx Rhetorics course empowers students to investigate and interpret elements of history that may otherwise be ignored, dismissed or misunderstood. They are then able to produce original scholarship, find personal connections to the past and contribute their insights to history while filling gaps in the record.

Reclamation requires students to assess how they perceive society, the study of history and themselves. Clariza Ruiz De Castilla, assistant professor of Chicano and Latino Studies, said students need to ask such questions as "What is history?" and "What is dear to me?"

"In college, we're still going through a journey of learning who we are, what careers we want, what makes us happy," she said.

"Reclaiming can be seen like taking over your identity and your power, despite societal, cultural or other institutions telling you otherwise."

"It really does open your eyes to see more stories from different people's perspectives," said Camila Polanco, a graduate student in communication studies.

Assistant Professor Clariza Ruiz De Castilla: "When you really know who you are, who your ancestors are, who your family is, that's more empowering."

Refreshing perspectives

This term's students are just beginning their quests, which includes searching for meaningful records that can take many forms: Written accounts, photographs, documentaries or even television ads. They examine academic sources for context and draft a report on their findings, plus a portfolio showing how they can apply their research skills to their academic and professional futures.

"I want you to think about who's included, who's not included," Ruiz De Castilla advised students. "What's silenced. What haunting is going on."

Patty Gonzalez, a third-year social work student, said she is interested in researching the Bracero Program, which permitted 1942-64 Mexican laborers to work in the United States from 1942-64. Gonzalez learned about two years ago that her grandfather worked as a bracero in Texas.

"Learning about this history will help me better understand his struggles, experiences and all the challenges he had to overcome during his time as a bracero," Gonzales said. "For my research, I plan to look at historical records, photographs, newspaper articles, and stories from former braceros."

For Gonzalez, the prospect of reclaiming history enables students to find a sense of belonging and to understand - and continue - past generations' struggles.

"They went through all this, and the fact that they couldn't advance for themselves, I'm going to do that now," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez and her peers will follow up on previous work to revive untold or misrepresented histories. Past students have highlighted an 1857 edition of El Clamor Público, a Spanish-language Los Angeles newspaper; the records of AIDS activist and artist Gerardo Velazquez; a Federal Writers' Project interview; and television advertisements portraying Mexican Americans.

A year ago, Polanco selected "La Operación," a 1982 documentary about the mid-20th century sterilization of Puerto Rican women. She found that the women who spoke for the film delivered a counternarrative to official stories claiming they underwent these procedures with informed consent.

"If I wouldn't have taken this class, I wouldn't have put this history into perspective," Polanco said.

Polanco plans to pursue a doctorate after completing her master's degree. She wants to write her dissertation on media, fashion and music.

Students setting out to reclaim historical narratives can, as Ruiz De Castilla said, find new insights about how history connects to their personal identities. They can also see their studies benefiting their families, especially as they can encourage their children to think critically about history.

Gonzalez encourages her daughter to always question the lessons she is taught in high school.

Kimberly Martinez, a third-year family and consumer sciences student, wants to select a research topic related to mothers and children. She is hopeful that she can relay her learning to her sons, opening their eyes to knowledge of Latine history that inspires pride.

"We need to be open and learn the other side of the stories," Martinez said.

Archival Quest: Reclaiming Latinx Rhetorics prompts students to take a deep look at history and discover how stories beyond those of mainstream narratives are relevant to their lives.