| Creator: | Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory |
| Title: | Burmese Immigrants in Indiana |
| Collection No.: | ohrc112 |
| Dates: | 2001-2002 |
| Quantity: |
Quantity: 20 Interview (Audio files, transcripts, and collateral materials ) |
| Abstract: | This collection of interviews presents a sampling of life in Burma over the last quarter of the 20th century and into the 21st century. The interviewees, who are all now living in the United States, share their experiences of growing up in a time of transition and political upheaval within their home country. Many of them were involved with the 1988 demonstrations that took place in Rangoon and nearby villages. Almost all spent some time living in fear of arrest, surviving in refugee camps, and hoping for better opportunity. They express varying opinions of their hope for a future democratic Burma and express their appreciation for the lives they have now. This project was co-directed by Professor M. Gail Hickey of the School of Education at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. |
| Location: | Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030A. Contact ohrc@indiana.edu for more information. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office. |
| Language: | Materials are in English . |
| Repository: | Center for Documentary Research and Practice Franklin Hall 0030B 601 E. Kirkwood Avenue Bloomington, Indiana 47405 Business Number: 812-855-2856 ohrc@indiana.edu URL: https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu/ |
This collection contains twenty interviews conducted over one year. The interviews range from 45 to 175 minutes. All open interviews consist of audio tapes and typed transcripts.
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
No(s): 02-001
Physical Description: 41 pages; 2 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 118 minutes, index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: This is the life story of a Burmese immigrant, born in the mid-1970s, living in Indiana. The interviewee fled from Burma after the 1988 student uprisings. The interviewee talks about childhood, education, experiences during the uprisings and flight from Burma; fighting in the border areas; and life in a refugee camp. The interviewee discusses coming to Indiana on a scholarship, his impressions of the United States, and life as an immigrant in the United States. The interviewee also discusses hopes for the future including education, and returning to a democratic Burma.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-002
Physical Description: 34 pages; 1 tape (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 85 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: This is a life history of a Burmese immigrant, born 1975, living in Indiana. The interviewee discusses childhood and education in Burma; experiences with student political organizations, the 1988 movement and 1990 elections, organizing strikes and forced flight from Burma afterwards. The interviewee discusses life in refugee camps in India; being accepted into the Burmese Refugee Scholarship Program and coming to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana; and experiences as an immigrant in America. The interviewee also discusses hopes for the future, and love for music.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-003
Physical Description: 48 pages; 2 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, minutes, index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee recalls family history and life in Burma, prior to the 1988 student uprisings, sharing memories about early childhood and the different ethnic groups. The interviewee talks about life and work in Rangoon, after leaving Burma in September 1988, expressing the difficulties faced as an illegal immigrant. Finally, the interviewee discusses life in Fort Wayne, Indiana, education and school at IPFW, social life and the Burmese community in Fort Wayne, and cultural differences between Burma and the U.S.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-004
Physical Description: 41 pages; 3 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 162 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: From a Karen family whose mother taught Economics, English and Burmese, the interviewee relates experiences of early childhood and education, sharing observations of character and behavior in people's reluctance to become involved until they are directly affected. With insights as a non-Buddhist in Burma, we discover someone who has lived in poverty but without want where family focused on education and cultural tradition to build strength of character. Vastly different experiences from central Burma to refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border when the family escapes following the 1988 movement solidify values and beliefs for this interviewee. Able to join family in the United States in 1990 for further education while difficult in the beginning has provided a foundation for this individual who gives back by working to advocate issues of women's rights through work with international diplomats. Future goals include completing a dissertation on public healthcare systems with hopes for changes in Burma that would lead to such a system.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-009
Physical Description: 19 pages; 2 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 85 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee discusses childhood and family life in Burma. The interviewee discusses involvement in the 1988 political uprising, including background on Burmese government and military intelligence, the student organizations and New Mon State Party. The interviewee shares experiences of arrest and detention while trying to get asylum as a political refugee before getting approval to come to the United States. The interviewee talks about life in America, relationships with family still in Burma, and goals for the future.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-005
Physical Description: 83 pages; 6 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 143 min., index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: This life story of a Burman native from a large family reveals a look at the historical background of Burma to present day. The interviewee shares early childhood and education experiences with insight to a multi-ethnic area and its problems which along with military rule lead to protests and demonstrations ultimately becoming the 1988 movement for democracy. The interviewee reveals experience of life "on the run", concern for personal safety and fear of arrest prior to staying in refugee camps. This diffucult time has led the interviewee to an internal peace and appreciation for the life now in Fort Wayne where the family is safe and free and the children have hope for a good education.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-006
Physical Description: 48 pages; 7 tapes(Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, minutes, index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee discusses childhood, family relations and early education. Following the 1988 democratic uprisings, the interviewee reveals the struggle to survive in the jungle and refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border, sharing experiences for working with the Mon army and working as a student representative for the New Mon State Party. The interviewee relates the experience of getting refugee status and help through the UNHCR and Catholic Charities to come to the United States. Finally, the interviewee talks about life in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the Burmese community with the hopes for a free, democratic Burma to return to.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-007
Physical Description: 40 pages, 2 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 100 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: This is the life history of a Burmese immigrant born in Yangon (Rangoon) prior to the 1988 student uprisings. The interviewee who at age five faced the death of a father for his role in the Karen revolution, shares memories of family and early childhood. With a strong Karen background and belief in human rights, the interviewee relates experiences from divinty school, work as a missionary and communication challenges for family.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-010
Physical Description: 22 pages; 1 tape (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee discusses early childhood, family life, and education in Burma leading up to the time of the 1988 revolution. The interviewee discusses politics and life as part of an underground organization during this time, sharing details of life in training camps and refugee camps. The interviewee talks about Catholic Charities sponsorship, coming to America, and the political and cultural differences between the United States and Burma.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-011
Physical Description: 40 pages, 3 tapes(Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 149 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee discusses childhood and family life in Burma. The interviewee discusses involvement in the 1988 political uprising, including background on Burmese government and military intelligence, and the All Burma Student Democratic Union. The interviewee shares the experiences of being a student during the time of the demonstrations, expressing the difficulties faced by not only students but others in Burma no matter what ethnic group. The interviewee talks about life in America, relationships with family still in Burma, and goals for the future.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-017
Physical Description: 35 pages, 2 tapes (Translated), indexed
Language: Burmese .
Scope and Content Note: Through the use of a translator, the interviewee discusses life as a member of the Mon ethnic group. The interviewee recalls time in the Mon army, participating in demonstrations, marriage, moving to Thailand as a refugee. The interviewee describes moving to the United States, cultural differences between the U.S. and his homeland, the Mon community in Indiana, his continuing political activism, and his hopes for the future.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-012
Physical Description: 30 pages; 2 tapes(Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 75 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee recalls family history and their medicine shop business in Mudon, Burma, and talks about early childhood and the exposure to different ethnic groups and religious practices while in school, emphasizing the competitive nature of the Burmese education system. The interviewee talks about life and work in Rangoon, explaining the difficulty in completing medical school there due to the 1988 uprisings and subsequent school closing, eventually opting to come to the United States to pursue further education. Finally, the interviewee discusses life in Fort Wayne, Indiana, education and school at IPFW, social life and the Burmese community in Fort Wayne, and cultural differences between Burma and the U.S.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-013
Physical Description: 47 pages; 3 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 175 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee discusses childhood and family life in Burma, detailing experiences in a school of mixed ethnicity prior to the 1988 student uprisings. The interviewee shares memories of life as a refugee, managing with hundreds of others in the camp, while hoping to leave to further education and ultimately coming to the United States.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-014
Physical Description: 25 pages, 1 tape (Translated), 1 7/8 ips, 45 minutes; index
Language: Burmese .
Scope and Content Note: Through the help of a translator, we learn about the interviewee's childhood and hometown. The interviewee discusses the need to discontinue education in order to work and help the family, eventually moving to Thailand following the 1988 student demonstrations. The interviewee shares impressions of coming to the United States and the pleasant surprise in finding a Mon community in Fort Wayne.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-015
Physical Description: 40 pages, 2 tapes (Translated), 1 7/8 ips, 95 minutes; index
Language: Burmese .
Scope and Content Note: Use this for life history interviews.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-016
Physical Description: 22 pages, 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 60 minutes, index
Scope and Content Note: This life story of a Burmese immigrant told by both the immigrant and their spouse reveals a life of turmoil in a politicallyl unstable environment. The interviewee expresses unhappiness and concern for the state of Burma, a country that was once home, relating experiences of living in fear of arrest and sepatation from family. Following the 1988 student uprisings, the interviewee tells us of leaving Burma and life in a refugee camp ultimately reuniting with spouse and children. The interviewee shares ideas of future goals and hope for communication with the rest of the family that was left behind.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-018
Physical Description: 54 pages, 3 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 165 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee shares early childhood memories and family background, from the early retirement forced upon their father, to the transition of living in a remote village and then moving to the city of Moulmein. Emphasis on the importance of education and the challenges within the Burmese education system for determining one's future are key. For this interviewee, life after school was interrupted in 1988 changed dramatically as participation in the student uprisings made it a necessity to flee the country. These experiences are recalled as the interviewee discusses life in a refugee camp and the difficulties faced in getting to the United States. Finally, we learn of the adjustments to life in Fort Wayne, Indiana and future hope for Burma and family.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-019
Physical Description: 38 pages; 3 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 141 minutes; index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee discusses childhood, family relations and early education. Following the 1988 democratic uprisings, the interviewee reveals the struggle to survive in the jungle and refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border, sharing experiences for working with the Mon army and working as a student representative for the New Mon State Party. The interviewee relates the experience of getting refugee status and help through the UNHCR and Catholic Charities to come to the United States. Finally, the interviewee talks about life in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the Burmese community with the hopes for a free, democratic Burma to return to.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-020
Physical Description: 30 pages, 2 tapes (Translated), 1 7/8 ips, 80 minutes; index
Language: Burmese .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee tells us through a translator about childhood and life in a big family, stopping school after the fourth grade to work at home. We learn of the experience of caring for a nephew, which served as the groundwork for the interviewee's own family, though hardly serving as preparation for the separation of the family that is experienced following political demonstrations in Burma. The interviewee shares some of the obstacles and triumphs in becoming a united family, life in student and refugee camps, the eventual move to the United States, and day-to-day life in Fort Wayne.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information
No(s): 02-021
Physical Description: 21 pages; 2 tapes (Not translated), 1 7/8 ips, 90 minutes, index
Language: English .
Scope and Content Note: The interviewee discusses childhood, family relations and livelihood, including schooling in a hometown village prior to leaving for Moulmein University. Following the 1988 democratic uprisings and upon returning home per the authorities, the interviewee talks about involvement in organizing village demonstrations, the resignation of the local administration, the military coup, and attempts to dissuade support of rebel groups. The interviewee shares experiences in joining the Mon resistance and working as a student representative for the New Mon State Party before getting monetary aid to work on a human rights project independently. Finally, the interviewee reveals how a conference on world affairs provided an opportunity to come to the United States and ultimately become a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Indexed Terms:
Access Status: Restricted: Contact center staff for more information