To Germany and Back

“It really makes you a woman and makes you responsible.” Edited by Nick Ladeau. Transcript for To Germany and Back I graduated from Froebel High School, and my intention was not to go anyplace. I wanted to go to school. And I wanted to be a teacher. And my husband then because we were, after […]

“Us/Them” Mentality

“If you’re such a tight part of a certain community, you are more likely to see everyone else as the other.” Welcome Project at Valparaiso University · "Us/Them" Mentality Transcript for “Us/Them” Mentality I consider my home country to be the Netherlands. I grew up in what we call a row-house: it’s basically a street […]

The Neighborhood

“Nobody ever said, ‘Hey, you’re a Mexican,’ or ‘Hey, you’re an Italian’ or anything like that.” Edited by Nick Ladeau. Transcript for The Neighborhood Did he ever suffer any discrimination? I don’t know. Because I was a kid and he was working in the mill. My mom definitely did not suffer any, I don’t think, […]

Settling in Gary

“So my dad said, ‘Well, you know what, I don’t have to live here.’” Edited by Nick Ladeau. Transcript for Settling in Gary My dad left, he ran away from his father, at the age of thirteen. He left Mexico and worked on a tramp steamer. A tramp steamer was a boat, I think, that […]

School Days

“I was the only Caucasian in the whole class.” Edited by Nick Ladeau. Transcript for School Days I went to Froebel School, kindergarten, in about 1948. My kindergarten class was basically all white. I had Mrs. Reising for a kindergarten teacher. And I remember that everybody had to have a rug. And at ten o’clock […]

I’m Terrible at Being Angry

“These were fifth graders, I don’t think they really mean to be racist. They’re probably just trying to get a laugh.” Edited by Nick Ladeau. Transcript for I’m Terrible at Being Angry I don’t think they really saw me as a Middle Easterner. I mean, some people have even made mistakes, thinking me a Chinese, […]

I Belong in Art

“Most of my childhood that I actually really remember is in the United States, so I am still struggling to find a home.” Edited by Nick Ladeau. Transcript for I Belong in Art I think if I was a fundamentalist and Muslim, I would not feel welcome here. Not in the sense that they’re… that […]