About

 

The COPLACDIGITAL program fosters cooperation by linking public liberal arts institutions nationwide. This course, Voices of Migration: An Oral History Collective, provides a platform for the procurement and presentation of oral histories in a widely accessible way. This is made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The purpose of this particular oral history project was to investigate Latino migration around the Central Savannah River Area. The range of interview subjects consisted of individuals from the Latino migrant community in and around Aiken County, South Carolina, and Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia. The primary research questions explored through the interview process pertained to the following:

  • In what ways has living in the south influenced the identities of migrants?
  • How do their lived experiences compare to those of migrants throughout the CSRA?
  • Are there any issues that have surfaced due to the cultural and geographical transition?
  • What role do various organizations (non-profit and otherwise) play in the community?

The major aims of this project were to explore the impacts of southern identity, culture, and economic circumstances on the experiences of the CSRA’s Latino community, and to open a local dialogue on the actualities of migration. We also wished to offer participants a platform to voice their experiences in a secure, hospitable environment, and to display these interactions on an accessible platform.

Savannah Neal: Savannah is currently a fourth year student at the University of South Carolina Aiken, majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology.

Jacob Nelson: Jacob is currently a fourth year student at the University of South Carolina Aiken, with a major in Political Science. He is the president of USC Aiken’s Philosophy Club and has conducted polling research for the university and the city of Aiken.

Contact Info:

Savannah Neal: sln3@usca.edu

Jacob Nelson: jmn@usca.edu