Community as Intellectual Space 2007:
Our Barrio, Our Stories, Ourselves
The Role of Oral History in Community Building
3rd Annual Symposium
June 15-17, 2007
Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Paseo Boricua, Chicago, Illinois, USA
About the Symposium
The theme for the 3rd annual Community as Intellectual Space conference acknowledges
the essential role that individuals’ experiences play in the development, maintenance, and
survival of the Puerto Rican community, in the diaspora as well as on the island; we also look
outward to understand how these experiences are part of the larger sphere of oral history at
the community level. Experiences are encapsulated in community members’ stories and narratives,
which include important historical, cultural, and familial knowledge and memories.
The types of information contained within these narratives is varied: traditional home remedies,
stories of migration, spiritual and religious beliefs, perspectives on work, childrearing practices,
values, cultural engagement, and participation in grassroots social movements are all forms of knowledge
that make up the community’s collective memory. Because it fosters and reinforces a
positive social-cultural identity in the face of covert racism, gentrification, and globalization,
this collective memory plays a crucial role in community building. One important feature is that it
can serve as a protective factor against a variety of health risks.
Traditionally, community stories are transmitted intergenerationally, from elders to the
younger generation, and often exist solely as oral narratives. Over the years, this type of
knowledge and memory has been in danger of being lost and destroyed, by hegemonic and homogenizing forces,
such as colonialism, cultural and linguistic assimilation, and gentrification. At the same time, there
are many other instances of traditional knowledge and stories from the past being reclaimed, reimagined,
and integrated with other forms of knowledge and within new contexts. New media and technologies
provide opportunities to transmit and share oral and written histories and narratives in new ways
and reach audiences worldwide. It is in this spirit that this year’s Community as Intellectual Space
symposium seeks to share, celebrate, discuss, and explore the multiple stories and narratives of
community members and groups in the Paseo Boricua area, and to consider how such narratives are
important in other communities, as well.
Registration and requests for additional information
Registration for the three-day symposium is $95. The fee covers dinner on
Friday night, continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings, light
refreshments on Saturday afternoon, lunch on Sunday and program materials. It
also includes the symposium performance by Grupo Bembeteo and the Tato Laviera
play performed by Cafe Teatro Batey Urbano.
PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD
PAYMENT BY CHECK, PURCHASE ORDER, OR SPONSOR WAIVER
If you have questions or need additional information,
please contact Ann Bishop, abishop@uiuc.edu /217.244.3299 or Marianne
Steadley, steadley@uiuc.edu
/217.244.2751
Pre-symposium event - Saturday, June 9,
2007 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Historic Memory and Literary Tradition in
Humboldt Park: The
Intersection of Puerto Rican and Jewish Experience
An Afternoon of Readings and
Discussion And a Celebration of Libraries and Communities at the Humboldt Park
Branch Library
For additional information, please download this BROCHURE
.
Student Posters
Students are invited to submit posters related to their work in community
informatics, especially any activities related to the Symposium theme of oral
history and community building. Space is limited to 12 posters and will be
allocated on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a space, submit poster
title, poster author name(s) , and a 100-word description to Ann Bishop (abishop@uiuc.edu).
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships is available for students and others with
limited income. Submit a paragraph describing your interest in the Symposium and
the reason for your request to both Symposium Co-Chairs: Ann Bishop (abishop@uiuc.edu) and Alejandro Molina (alejandro@prcc-chgo.org ).
Childcare
If childcare is needed, please contact Alejandro Molina (alejandro@prcc-chgo.org) by June 1.
Symposium flyer
We encourage you to spread the word about the Symposium. Please feel free to
download and post the Symposium flyer available at this location http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/CIS2007/CIS_flyer.doc
