Yohana Barajas Hinojosa
Yohana Barajas Hinojosa describes her experience growing up in a diverse but challenging neighborhood in the 1990s, characterized by gang presence and violence. Despite these difficulties, she describes finding strength in the community's diversity, strong academic supporters and forming lasting friendships. From going to high school in South Central LA to attending Cal State LA, Yohana speaks about encountering a more diverse and culturally rich curriculum. Being introduced and active to organizations like SURGE, and talking about her activist involvement in high school. Being a part of MEChA and Somos Raza in high school, she speaks about these environments and the important movements that made students safety stronger. She also speaks about her educational experience learning about revolutionary figures and reading works not involved in standard American curricula. She then speaks about focusing on community connection to bring out more undocumented students to the light, experiencing OG SURGE, and humanizing undocumented statuses by reconstructing narratives.
Elizabeth Aguilar
Elizabeth Mascarenas, interviewed by Gloria Sosa, speaks of her current career. Elizabeth draws back to her senior year filling out applications for college. She speaks about dreaming of going to a UC and finding out they wouldn't accept her because of her undocumented status. She continues how this redirection lead her to community college where she found support in EOP, AB 540 and befriending alike people. She also speaks about always wanting to teach, being made feel worthless by a bank, and meeting an unexpected friend while applying to her next college.
In the second audio recording, Elizabeth shares her perspective of what it was like being in the SURGE meetings. She also speaks about finding empowerment in her Latina background, finding personhood and identity and feeling more powerful walking in her own school. Later, she explains the type of roles she played in SURGE, how sharing one vision created community, and what it was like participating in demonstrations in downtown LA. Elizabeth also discusses her activism after graduating from Cal State LA.
Rocio Ortiz
This oral history transcript captures the experiences and reflections of Rocio Ortiz, a former student activist at Cal State LA, particularly involved with the Dream Resource Center (DRC) and the student organization SURGE. Interviewed by Gloria Sosa, Rocio discusses the inclusive efforts of these organizations, particularly towards undocumented students and the LGBTQ+ community. Despite efforts to collaborate with other groups on campus, Rocio shares the challenges of achieving unity due to varying agendas and the volatile political climate. She recounts personal experiences of gender inequity within leadership roles, particularly within SURGE, and reflects on the lack of mentorship that could have better prepared her for leadership. Rocio also delves into her post-graduation struggles with mental health, the lack of resources, and how these challenges taught her the importance of self-care. Despite these difficulties, her activism ignited a passion for helping others, leading to her work as a paralegal in the immigrant rights movement. Rocio highlights the unique familial atmosphere within SURGE and its significant role in advocating for the resources and support systems now available at Cal State LA. Her story emphasizes the importance of both personal well-being and persistent activism in striving for equity and support for underserved communities.
Yadira Ramirez
The first part for this audio discussion is between interviewee Yadira Ramirez and interviewer Gloria Sosa. Starting out in Mexico, Yadira speaks about her experiences of childhood growing up in Nayarit before she made her journey, along with others, to cross the U.S.-Mexico Border to live with her mother. She then speaks about her integration into American culture, developing her relationship with her mother, and finding support among teachers to go to college. Finally, Yadira talks about her experiences at trade school, how AB 540 supported her efforts in applying for higher education and how she chose to become a social worker. [Trigger warning for suicide at 30:00]
In the second audio recording, Yadira opens up about her experience growing up undocumented during grade school and most of college and what life was like before and after becoming a U.S. citizen.
Lastly, Yadira speaks about finding her community in SURGE, the journey with her thesis, finding common ground with Mexican consulares, and the beginnings of SURGE. She also touches on learning the power of sharing her story, finding strength in knowing where she came from, and how much activism has had a role in her line of work after college.
Fermin Vasquez
This oral history transcript captures the life and experiences of Fermin Vasquez, a former undocumented student and activist whose journey began in El Salvador and continued through his relocation to Los Angeles. Vasquez recounts his migration at the age of 11, crossing multiple borders to be reunited with his mother. Despite facing significant challenges, including the lack of financial resources and legal status, Vasquez excelled academically and was drawn to activism. His engagement with organizations such as CHIRLA and the California Dream Network during high school and college played a pivotal role in his activism for immigrant rights. Vasquez's efforts at Cal State LA included the founding of the student organization SURGE, aimed at supporting undocumented students. He discusses the conflicts within the organization concerning its direction—whether it should focus on political activism, fundraising, or emotional support. Post-graduation, Vasquez transitioned seamlessly into professional roles in activism, leveraging his background to effect significant social changes, such as raising the minimum wage and advocating for workers' rights. Vasquez emphasizes the importance of storytelling in activism and the intersectional nature of social justice issues. This transcript underscores the resilience and impact of undocumented youth in shaping immigrant rights and broader social policies.
