Explore Examples of Oral Histories in Alta / A Human Atlas of a City of Angels
Stories help us understand people, places, and history. Stories can be found everywhere—in conversations, family memories, neighborhoods, and communities. Alta / A Human Atlas of a City of Angels tells the story of Los Angeles through the people who live there. Their stories remind us that history isn’t only made by celebrities or political leaders—it is also shaped by artists, workers, neighbors, organizers, teachers, parents, and community members.
Alta uses photographic portraits, DNA ancestry, and oral histories, to tell their stories. An oral history is an interview that is typically recorded in which someone shares their experiences, memories, and perspective in their own voice. Oral history evolved from oral traditions of diverse societies around the world, which honored storytelling to preserve and pass down a community’s culture, knowledge, and identity long before the invention of writing.
Listen to two of the oral histories in Alta, then look at their related portraits and DNA ancestry results. First listen to the oral history of Janet Martinez. Then listen to the oral history of Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte. As you listen, think about the following questions and discuss or make notes with your responses:
- What makes this person’s story worth telling?
- What experiences or counter-narratives might have shaped who they are? Provide at least two examples from each oral history.
What Is a Changemaker?
Alta / A Human Atlas of the City of Angels is made up of changemakers who together help to shape the history of Los Angeles. When you hear the word “changemaker,” you might think of someone famous. But changemakers are everywhere. They don’t need to be well known. A changemaker is someone who works to create positive change in their community or society through their actions, both big and small. Oftentimes, changemakers address social injustices or forms of oppression in their work and/or their communities. A changemaker might be a coach, librarian, youth mentor, community gardener, neighborhood volunteer, local artist, small business owner, cultural leader, parent or grandparent, someone who organizes food drives, someone who supports new immigrants, or someone who creates safe spaces for young people. Really, the list is endless!
Think about the two oral histories you listened to. Discuss or write your response to the following question:
- In what ways are Janet Martinez and Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte changemakers?
Create an Oral History of a Changemaker in Your Community
Your task is to create an oral history that documents the experiences and contributions of a changemaker in your community.
You’ll identify a local changemaker, interview them, and share their story. By the end of the project, you’ll have helped preserve a piece of your community’s history!
Step 1: Select a Changemaker
First, think about the people you know who help to make your community stronger. Ask yourself:
- Who helps others without expecting recognition?
- Who brings people together in ways that empower and promote social justice?
- Who solves problems for people from marginalized or underserved communities?
- Who preserves traditions or cultures that have faced a history of being erased, assimilated, or marginalized?
- Who inspires others to learn about their history, identity, and to challenge injustices faced by their communities?
- Who creates opportunities for young people to transform how they see themselves and their communities in ways that challenge dominant narratives and oppression?
- Who advocates for change or addresses a need in the community?
- Who makes a difference in ways that often go unnoticed?
Choose someone whose story you’re interested in sharing. Since you’ll be creating an oral history, it should be someone who you feel comfortable approaching and asking to interview and record.
You might not have to look far! Consider your own family and friends—you might already know some changemakers. Explain your project to the person and see if they might be willing to participate. If not, don’t worry, you can ask someone else!
If you need ideas about people who might be changemakers in your community, revisit Alta and browse the people featured. It might give you ideas about people you know who are creating change in your community.
Step 2: Prepare for and Record an Oral History
Visit Tips for Creating a Great Oral History and follow the steps to plan for your interview. Then, record the interview. Return to this page when you’ve completed the interview.
Step 3: Share the Oral History
Share your changemaker’s story with your class, friends, family, and/or community members. Make slides, a video, a digital story, artwork, or whatever creative format you prefer. Here are some details you could include in your presentation:
- a short introduction
- a photo of the person
- who they are
- what they do
- what motivates them
- challenges they’ve overcome
- why they’re a changemaker
- one or two meaningful quotations from the interview
- why their story matters to your community
- a transcript (optional) for the hearing impaired
Remember: Your goal is to represent your interviewee honestly and respectfully. As you prepare your presentation, consider whether the person you interviewed would want to be represented in that way.
Step 4: Reflect on the Process
Think about the process of making an oral history. Discuss or write your responses to these reflection questions.
- What surprised you during your interview? Why did it surprise you?
- What did you learn about your community?
- Why is this story significant?
- What was challenging about telling someone else’s story?
- How did your interview change the way you think about history?
- What responsibilities do storytellers have?
- How do oral histories challenge dominant historical narratives?
