OHReflection

Interview subject - Home front life during the Vietnam war

Interviewee - Louise Gitter - my grandmother

The first thing I noticed when interviewing my grandmother was her distaste for the war. She believes that the US shouldn't be in any war that doesn't directly effect us or our safety. She knew more than I would ever think that she would and she showed some great insight. I was surprised by the number of anti-war demonstrations in the Wisconsin area and how much she remembered them. Her opinion of the war was based on what she cared about most - her children. I learned things from her that I couldn't learn anywhere else.

I learned that there are so may things that your every day Joe knows that the next generation doesn't. Everyday people have their own stories to tell and memories of valuable information. I learned that through oral history, we can get more than just facts. We can get little details or stories of individuals that would otherwise be lost forever. I now have a better sense of the world's knowledge. It doesn't just come from professors or researchers, but also from your everyday Joe walking down the street. Each person has their own story and more than you can learn from the best textbooks. Each person has their own bit of the big picture that can only be grasped if people are willing to take the time and to care.