Over three days during the Spring 2022 English Language (ELA) courses at Tacoma Community House, 17 oral history interviews were conducted by the Community Archives Center of the Tacoma Public Library. Tacoma Community House offers services to many immigrant and refugee populations in the Puget Sound area. These personal stories contribute to Tacoma’s current historical record and provide insight into the lives of underrepresented immigrant and refugee groups. Ten questions were provided to the speakers and allow us to learn about their contexts, viewpoints and experiences.
The questions included:
1) Where are you from? Where is your home country? Tell us about it.
2) Share your document or cultural/family object. What does it mean to you? Why?
3) Who is your family? Describe them. Share your family photograph(s).
4) How did you get to Tacoma, Washington? When? Why?
5) What did you think the Unites States would be like? How was it different?
6) What was your first American experience?
7) What food do you enjoy? Share your favorite recipe.
8) What is your favorite music or song? Why is it your favorite?
9) Why do you want to share your story? What do you want people to learn from you?
10) What do you hope for your future? What do you hope the future will bring?
