LibraryGuides: Lifting Voices: Public Speaking as a Bridge: Welcome!

These presentations are part of a project called Lifting Voices: Public Speaking as a Bridge. Led by Katie Dwyer and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the project aimed to create a humanities-focused public speaking curriculum to empower all students to develop civic skills, cultural/historical depth of understanding, and self-efficacy; with an emphasis to serve those who experience systemic marginalization. The project created a broader pool of culturally and historically diverse source material to use in teaching speech analysis and research, a bilingual Spanish/English curriculum for Chemeketa's Fundamentals of Public Speaking course, and expanded the "Applied English" support for those classes to provide advanced academic English language and skills instruction for students advancing from General Education Development and English for Speakers of Other Languages.

The videos were created in partnership with the University of Oregon's Humanities Center and the Chemeketa Library. They address history, culture, social transformation, and the use of storytelling in political engagement.

The Grant Videorecordings

History and Today: Knowing and Living a Movement
by Jaime Arredondo
A zoom recording of an online presentation. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video.
The speaker for this presentation is Jaime Arredondo, who highlighted his journey from Michoacan, Mexico to Oregon. He shared his family's struggles, including his father's immigration and the challenges faced by farmworkers. Arredondo emphasized the importance of storytelling and community engagement, noting the growth of the Latino population in Oregon from 112,000 in 1990 to 450,000 today. He also discussed the role of organizations like Causa and the Farmworker Housing Development Corporation in supporting immigrant families. The presentation included personal anecdotes and reflections on the power of identity and language in shaping one's narrative. Note: The first four minutes and eighteen seconds is a silent view of the presentation's flyer. The video actually starts at 20:56. There is the occasional interruption for technical issues by Katie Dwyer.

Lifting Voices: Latino/a/x and Indigenous Leaders in the Willamette Valley
by Jaime Arredondo, Joaquin Lara Midkiff, Teresa Alonso Leon, Karina Guzman Ortiz, and Victor Ochoa
A video recording of an in person presentation at Chemeketa Community College. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video.
This presentation featured a panel of Latinx leaders discussing their experiences and contributions to Oregon's diverse community. Key points included the historical erasure of Latinx and Indigenous narratives, the impact of immigration reforms like ERCA, and the challenges faced by families separated by migration. The panelists emphasized the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and cultures, the significance of education, and the need for genuine representation in public speaking. They also highlighted the community's growth, with Latinx becoming a significant demographic by 2030, and the importance of celebrating and educating future generations about their heritage.

Oregon Black Pioneers: Sharing Our History
by Gwen Carr and Willie Richardson
A zoom recording of an online presentation by Gwen Carr and Willie Richardson. Carr and Richardson, who work with the Oregon Black Pioneers, a historical society, discussed their research on Oregon Black Pioneers, highlighting the presence of Black individuals in Oregon since 1788, despite exclusionary laws. They emphasized the importance of confidence, storytelling, and local connections in presentations. They also addressed the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with sensitivity, and the need for inclusive education and museum practices. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video.

Oregon: We All Belong Here
by Imran Haider
A video recording of an in person presentation at Chemeketa Community College. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video.
The speaker for this presentation is Imran Haider, a part-time instructor at Chemeketa and the University of Washington. This presentation covers the importance of identity and belongingness in Oregon. He shared his personal journey of feeling like an outsider despite being born in Oregon and highlighted the significance of ethnicity and immigration. Haider emphasized the need for inclusive language and policies to address historical disparities, such as the impact of the Oregon trail. He concluded by stressing the importance of advocacy and support to create a more inclusive society.

Artificial Intelligence, Racism, & Gender Bias
by Taylor Marrow III
A video recording of an in person presentation at Chemeketa Community College. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video. The speaker is Taylor Marrow III, a history professor at Chemeketa Community College. In the presentation, Marrow discussed the integration and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of life, emphasizing its potential and risks. Key points included AI's use in education, healthcare, and policing, highlighting its potential to save money and improve outcomes but also the risks of algorithmic bias. Examples of AI's influence were provided, such as ChatGPT's ability to generate text and images, and the potential for AI to reinforce stereotypes. The conversation also touched on the ethical considerations of AI, particularly in creating deepfakes and the need for media literacy to navigate AI-generated information. Note: The first minute and 56 seconds is just chatter from the crowd.

Different Cultural Communication Styles: For Life, Workplace, and College
by Taylor Marrow III
A video recording of an in person presentation at Chemeketa Community College. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video.
The speaker for this presentation is Taylor Marrow III, a history professor at Chemeketa Community College. In the presentation, Marrow highlighted the impact of racism and West African influences on black communication patterns, such as simultaneous speaking and gestures of solidarity. He emphasized the importance of understanding these styles to reduce stereotypes and improve interracial interactions. Marrow also discussed the concept of Ebonics and its legitimacy, noting its roots in African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The conversation also touched on the role of mediated communication in reinforcing stereotypes and the need for intentional exposure to diverse communication styles to foster inclusivity and reduce bias.

Cultural Continuity Through Education and Indigenous Language Promotion
by Brent Spencer and Renee Roman Nose
A zoom recording of an online presentation. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video.
The speakers for this presentation were Brent Spencer and Renee Roman Nose. They discussed the importance of Senate Bill 13, which mandates Oregon's education system to teach Native American history and culture. Spencer highlighted the bill's two-year rollout plan, including curriculum development and professional development modules. Roman Nose emphasized the need for cultural recognition and the impact of historical trauma on Native students. Both speakers shared personal anecdotes and strategies for effective public speaking, including audience engagement and storytelling.

Finding Our Voices
by Dr. Linda Tamura
A zoom recording of an online presentation. An introduction is done by Katie Dwyer. There is a Q&A at the end of the video.
The speaker for this presentation is Dr. Linda Tamura, who shared her journey in public speaking and her research on Japanese American history. Tamura, a third-generation Japanese American, discussed her reluctance to speak publicly and her efforts to make it safe for others to share their stories. She highlighted the discrimination faced by Japanese Americans during World War II, including the blackout of their names from the Hood River County Courthouse honor roll. Tamura also emphasized the importance of research, rapport, and storytelling in public speaking, sharing examples like George Akiyama's bravery and the impact of her work in honoring heroes and heralded individuals.