An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Scholar Luz Escobar Zapata
Project Description
In the Fall of 2021, I read The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio, which opened my eyes to the United States’ most forgotten heroes—workers who rebuild after natural disasters. She briefly mentioned Hurricane Katrina, and I realized I had never heard this story before. Determined to tell the stories of the heroes who helped rebuild the city, I wanted to empower their narratives. These leaders are at the forefront of environmental justice, fighting for BIPOC families near chemical plants, lacking clean water, and displaced by violence. This inspired me to interview my parents, Steven Mathews from Chicago and my mom, Indira Mathews, a Nicaraguan immigrant, both of whom helped rebuild New Orleans. Through these interviews, I uncovered the intersection of race, ethnicity, and class during Hurricane Katrina, discovering my parents' heroism not just to me, but to the city of New Orleans.
Oral History Interview with Indira Matthews - 06/24/2024
Oral History Interview with Steven Matthews - 06/24/2024
Presentation Video
Presentation Recording