When we “(re)member”, we are both recalling lived experience and situating our memory into the archives of now. The representation of the historical past is usually a reflection of who is telling the story, and too often overlooks experiences of minoritized populations. Currently in its fifth year, The Inclusive History and Images Project (IHIP) is dedicated to exploring, honoring, and most important, archiving the diverse representations, lived experiences, and stories of people in LMU’s history. This is accomplished by inviting these, often underrepresented populations, to tell their stories and to (re)member and preserve those lived experiences into the archives of the university. The IHIP archive is growing, and we’re excited to call upon the community to contribute your unique voices.
In addition to accepting historical material from alumni, IHIP has combed through the University Archives with the facilitation of William H. Hannon Library staff to establish a robust IHIP digital collection available to our campus, the local community, and scholars at large. In addition to the digital collection, IHIP has conducted over 30 oral history interviews from alumni, faculty, and staff from a range of historically marginalized communities. Many of these interviews were conducted through an oral history class launched and taught by Margarita Ochoa, associate professor of history and director for scholarly and creative practice.
Ochoa writes: “While images and visual materials allow us to peer into a moment in time, oral histories provide the rich historical details that contextualize those images and validate stories and events unseen and unheard elsewhere in official histories of our university. In this vein, IHIP oral histories disrupt traditional narratives by centering the voices of underrepresented communities in retelling the history of Loyola University, LMU, and LLS”. This fall, Marne Campbell, professor of African American Studies, is teaching African American Studies Research Methodology. Her students are participating in aspects of IHIP including conducting interviews. Campbell says, “The IHIP project is a perfect way for students to learn one aspect of research in African American Studies. The interviews will help students make important connections between the past and present while learning the intricacies of a discipline that focuses on the historic, cultural, socio-political and socio-economic contributions of Black people.”
IHIP will also have an even greater presence on campus this fall, as it expands its visibility into a traveling exhibition featuring banners that share images from the IHIP archive. These images help to tell the often-untold story of LMU, such as the increasing enrollment of Black and Latino students; the creation of ethnic studies departments; Ethnic and Intercultural Services; how student activism reshaped the university; and much more that has contributed to the educational experiences of ALL students, and the social cultural environment of the campus; with a spirit of welcome.
IHIP has also recently introduced “The IHIP Journal” – a unique initiative for students, staff, and faculty to document, with the potential to contribute their day-to-day perspectives in an active journaling project. IHIP is making available free journals to interested participants, with some targeted invitations. The journal will be a place to comment on issues of historical experience, and issues of the moment, both personal and political. A place to reflect on your experiences, track your goals, and capture the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Whether you use it to map out your next steps or simply to look back on your growth, this journal is designed to become a record of your time at LMU, written in your own voice, in this moment. IHIP member, Joseph Bernardo, Ph.D., will assist with distribution and can serve as a contact person for interest in participating in the journal project. With the journal, you can choose to keep it private or, if you’d like, donate it to the Inclusive History and Images Project (IHIP) to help tell the everyday stories that shape our community.
Your perspective matters, and your journal can become part of a living archive that honors the richness of life at LMU. This community archive project will contribute to developing a nuanced and timely portrait of your experiences that will be accessible at the Hannon Library in perpetuity.
Also, this fall semester, IHIP will be partnering with campus-based organizations that serve minoritized populations to establish several days in which alumni can visit campus to make personal donations to the IHIP Community Archive. Pictures, documents of significance, and artifacts will be accepted and/or scanned for entry into the archives in designated spaces on campus.
The work of the Inclusive History and Images Project is alive! We are inviting all members of our diverse LMU community, both past and present to (re)member themselves into the rich LMU history as an active and ongoing process.
To learn more about making your mark on LMU with a contribution to IHIP, visit the IHIP website.