Music of US Immigrant History - Lessons from 1930s California Recordings

Explore the untold stories of US immigrant history through the lens of music in this 15-minute TEDx talk by Alyssa Mathias at Knox College. Delve into archival field recordings from 1930s California, uncovering the nuanced experiences of Middle Eastern, East Asian, and European immigrants in a racially charged agricultural railroad town. Discover surprising instances of interethnic collaboration and draw parallels between past and present multicultural dynamics. Examine how these musical narratives shed light on persistent structural inequities, including housing discrimination, restrictive naturalization laws, and the construction of whiteness. Reflect on the valuable lessons these century-old voices offer for contemporary discussions on diversity, inclusion, and the complex legacies of prejudice in the United States. Gain insights from Alyssa Mathias, a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Knox College, whose expertise in global traditional and popular music, coupled with extensive ethnographic fieldwork, brings a unique perspective to this exploration of immigrant experiences through the power of music.

Listen: What the Music of US Immigrant History Can Tell Us | Alyssa Mathias | TEDxKnox College