By reading this article you will learn what Oral History is and why it is an important method to preserve memory and story.
While I am a practicing Miami lawyer, I also happen to be an oral historian. What exactly does that mean?
Oral History Purpose
Well, oral history is the recording and preservation of a life story or account from an interviewee. As an oral historian, I interview people to record their story. My focus for interviews is Veterans and civilians from World War II. I feel it is vitally important to preserve the stories and memories from the “Greatest Generation” as the cruel passage of time reduces their number daily.
The Oral History Process
The interviews are conducted with high-end audio or video equipment suitable for archival purposes. After the interview, the recording can be transcribed and is then sent to an archive for preservation. Examples of archives include the U.S. Library of Congress, museums, and universities that support such projects. The goal of archiving is to ensure that the interview is preserved and never lost for future generations. Where you stand today is a product of the past. Knowing your past allows you to understand the present and to help mold the future.
Oral History Video
For my own oral history project, the Making History Project, I prefer video equipment for oral histories. When possible, I video record my oral histories because I feel that the resulting interview is more compelling when you can see emotions during the storytelling process. The smile, the twinkle of the eye, a grimace or even a tear, may never be seen with only an audio recording.
Oral History Memories
Oral history is not a bland biography filled with facts. Oral history is also not just war stories. Rather, oral history is to explore a new topic, a new idea and above all, to extract what it was like to be in the interviewee’s shoes. This is a walk through history in the eyes of a human being that lived it. Oral history obtains the sights, smells, and feelings from an experience. The interviewee tells you just how it was, including their hopes, dreams and fears. A fascinating trip down memory lane as though you had your own personal time-machine.
The Oral History Interviewer
This is not easy. An oral historian is a guide and a facilitator for memories and the story. Oral history does not happen by itself. Oral historians above all need to know history. That is, the history of the time, place and things that your interviewee experienced. Without knowing history, you cannot engage in a meaningful conversation with the interviewee. Rarely are rich and engaging stories the product of yes or no questions. Likewise, you do not force outcomes or change memories. Oral historians must be excellent listeners and have an innate ability to encourage an ongoing, free-flowing and engaging dialogue.
Oral History Uses
Where does oral history end? Usually, oral history ends with the recording being archived and stored. For many, the end game of oral history is to just preserve. Then when needed, the oral history interview can be accessed by the public or by researchers. I treat oral history as a gift. When I complete oral histories for the Making History Project, I give a complete copy and record of those proceedings to the Veteran’s family so they may cherish those moments forever.
In other instances, oral history is a tool for research. The oral histories and the facts obtained from them formulate the basis for a study, paper, project or book. Producers and directors also look to oral histories for creating documentaries and major motion pictures.
Museums are using oral histories for a more engaging museum experience rich with audio and video elements. Such elements can be used for dramatic effect such as the life stories and witness statements that play out at the National 9/11 Memorial Museum all day long.
Oral History and Museums
For me, integrating oral history with a museum has unlimited potential and possibilities. We often think about museums as only warehouses for objects. They can be cold, static and coarse places. Oral history breathes life into a museum. Through oral history, context and humanity are returned to an otherwise inanimate object. Emotions, color and sound are present. Memories can fade and be forgotten, but only if we let them. Oral history is our link to a living past.
Feel free to contact me if you are interested in oral history, incorporating oral history into museums, or know of a Veteran that would like to give an oral history for the Making History Project. I can be reached by telephone at (305) 373-3826 or by email at russell@russellaw.com
Related Topics: Oral History, Oral Historian, Making History Project, Veterans History Project
