Conclusion
Although I carefully selected the interviews in this book, they are only a sample of the wonderful stories found all across Ohio and the Midwest. The stories selected here point to the continual processes of cultural exchange and social transformation—particularly in the Latino population—being experienced in the Midwest as a result of our demographic growth, educational and professional interests, and economic opportunity. As you saw in the introduction, the maps offer a visual representation of this growth, but the stories in this book bring those numbers to life. They invite us to listen, engage, and consider how the Latino experience is not monolithic. In other words, we are many, but we are much more than a number.
Latin@ Stories Across Ohio provides a glimpse of the dynamics of change happening in the state of Ohio, a change that occurs at times with resistance and confrontation, and at times with acceptance and compassion. Some of the interviews here revealed that the same person that experienced rejection from one person was offered incredible support from another; such is humanity. Through these interviews, we are witnesses of how some have made it their mission to actively educate their communities, give voice to the undocumented immigrants—that work, live and love like all other citizens in our state—and engage in advocacy in matters of safety, education and politics. Their pursuit for social equity goes across barriers of immigration status, age or gender.
The issue of language is an important factor in identity formation. Participants in this project describe their relationship to growing up in bilingual and non-bilingual environments, and how keeping and maintaining language is an important part of staying in touch with their heritage. They do this without rejecting mainstream society. In some cases, the Spanish language can be a source of conflict and pain because Latin@s feel that being Latino or having a Latino name requires a certain mastery of their parents’ or grandparents’ home language. Yet, they find that they live and breathe Latino cultural traditions, foods and celebrations and confess that they are so fully immersed in it that it took them years to clearly identify what was part of that Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominican, etc., background and what was not. This too was my experience. I grew up in Mexico with a Salvadoran background, which only came out at Christmastime when my mother cooked Salvadoran style turkey and salpicón.
Storytelling is a tool for self-representation and survival, and through this project I seek to bring insight into our common interest more than what sets us apart. But many of the stories are still waiting to be heard. Many people have yet to be interviewed and given the opportunity to tell their stories, other stories will remain at family gatherings late at night, over a cup of coffee or some good wine, and when all the kids are asleep and grandparents reminisce about the good-old times. Perhaps I will be lucky enough to document those stories too. Perhaps my daughters will collect my stories in the future.
