Finding Radical Hope: 100 Years of Stories

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In the practice of public history, how the wider community receives a project is just as important as the intentions behind its creation. As work done for and with public audiences, the exhibits, media, and spaces we cultivate form a dialogue where agency is shared, emotions are welcome, and diverse experiences are honored. As Dr. Stephen Vider comments in Season 2, “I think that we place so much emphasis on the intellectual value of our research, but I think many people engage with history in a much more bodily and affective way - in an emotional way - and I like how public history draws that out.”

In that spirit, join Aracely Lara, a first generation Mexican-American graduate student in public history, as she processes the “100 Years of Stories: Documenting a Century at the University of Houston” exhibit at the M.D. Anderson Library. Learn how she finds radical hope in the perseverance of alumnae before her like Yolanda Black Navarro, Maria Jimenez, and Graciela Saenz. 

This episode was researched, recorded, and produced by Aracely Lara for the Center of Public History at the University of Houston. 

To learn more: 

• Gomez, Denise. “Yolanda Black Navarro: East End Reina.” Houston History 15.2 (April 2018): 8-12. 
• Gomez, Denise. “A Life of Activism: Maria Jimenez.” Houston History 12.3 (July 2015): 14-18.
• Gomez, Stephanie. “Gracie Saenz’s Life of Public Service.” Houston History 15.2 (April 2018): 13-17. 
• "Latina Leaders. 100 Years of Houston: 1997-2007." Houston Public Media.  

Oral Histories from the UH Libraries Special Collections:

• Jimenez, Maria. Feb. 25, 2012. 
• Navarro Black, Yolanda. March 28, 2006. 

Saenz, Graciela Guzman; Grevious, Danielle & Bobadilla, Eladio. Oral History Interview with Graciela Guzman Saenz, July 8, 2016, video, July 8, 2016; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth984718/m1/: accessed Dec. 26, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting TCU Mary Couts Burnett Library.

Music via the Free Music Archive:

• Gregor Quendel – “Debussy – Clair de Lune – L 75.mp3” - CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 
• Monplaisir – “Red Hair, Blue Sky” and "Hélice" – Public Domain
• Patrick Davies – “Piano Medley For Those in Various Places.mp3” – Public Domain
• HoliznaCC0 – “Poor, But Happy” – Public Domain

The Center for Public History at the University of Houston. https://uh.edu/class/cph