Today I want to spent sometime going over the reliability of immigration sources. While oral history has many advantages over other sources if want to know what “really happened,” it also depends on the personal memory of our witnesses. After the exam, we will watch a PBS documentary, A Family Gathering, about a Japanese-American woman who uses oral history as part of her attempt to create a history of her family.
I hope to discuss in class the following question:
Why does Lise (the filmmaker) make this documentary? Why is it difficult for her to find out about the family’s past? What other sources does she use to find out more about her family?
Feel free to post your responses here. As always, if you have any other comments regarding the film please share with the class.
