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Presenter: Joenys Izabel Carrasquillo Martinez

Faculty Sponsor: Diego Ubiera

School: Fitchburg State University

Research Area: Literature

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Auditorium, A35

ABSTRACT

This thesis explores the history of the modern Latino memoir from the Civil Rights movement to the literary works of the 1980s and 1990s, culminating in the works of modern-day Latino writers. I examine how the genre evolved in response to political, social, and cultural shifts, tracing the ways in which larger historical and collective struggles shaped personal narratives. The memoirs analyzed in this study offer a window into the complexities of negotiating cultural heritage while living within a dominant society that often marginalizes Latino voices. These works highlight the intersection of individual and collective memory, revealing the ways in which personal stories reflect broader cultural and political movements. In parallel, I will incorporate my own personal stories through a series of reflective essays, shaped by my experiences as someone born in Puerto Rico to a Puerto Rican father and a Nicaraguan mother, who later moved to the U.S., offering a unique perspective on the intersection of individual and collective memory. This thesis aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the Latino memoir as both a historical artifact and a living form of narrative that continues to evolve in the context of shifting socio-political dynamics.