Yajaira Hernandez Oral History Interview, May 15, 2021

Partial Transcript: This interview is for OSU HST-260

Segment Synopsis: This interview is for HST-260, the History of Latinos in the US and Oregon

Keywords: HST 260; Oregon State University

Partial Transcript: Where were born, and what was your childhood like?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira was born and raised in Salem, Oregon. She grew up in an all-White neighborhood, which was fairly free of crime. This was very different from how her dad grew up in poverty in Southern Mexico.

Keywords: Immigration; Latinx; Latinx Culture; Mexican Culture; Mexico; Poverty; Salem

Partial Transcript: What is your education background?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira went away to the University of San Diego for college, where she studied Latino and African history. As a first-generation student, she spent time in the career center in high school getting information on higher education that she could not receive from her family, which is common with first-gen students. She then spent two years in Ecuador in the Peace Corps. She decided to pursue a Masters in Social Work at Columbia University in New York.

Keywords: African History; Columbia University; Ecuador; First Generation; First gen; Latino History; MSW; Peace Corps; University of San Diego

Partial Transcript: How did your Latino background shape your worldview?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira is proud to be Latinx and is optimistic about her community today. Growing up, she was frustrated with her community, but has since learned of the accessibility and systemic racism issues that keep community members out of education and career opportunities.

Keywords: College; First Gen; Inter generational trauma; Latinx; Systemic racism

Partial Transcript: How have you served the Latinx community?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira has been serving the Latinx community since she was 18. When she attended the University of San Diego she would volunteer at an AIDs hospice in Tijuana on the weekends, and also volunteered with Border Angels to feed and clothe migrants. In Ecuador she worked as an educator in domestic violence, sexual violence, and sexual assault. In Oregon today, she works on improving the translation services and accessibility for Spanish-speakers in small towns.

Keywords: AIDS; Bilingual; Border Angels; Chicanos; Domestic Violence; Ethnic Studies; Gender inequity; Hospice; Jefferson; Marion County; Mexican; Mt. Angel; Salem; San Diego; Sexual Violence; Silverton; Stayton; Tijuana; University of San Diego

Partial Transcript: What was your career trajectory?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira first worked in immigrations services in San Diego and Tijuana, then she traveled to Ecuador to work as an educator for the Peace Corps. She then worked in the Bronx through her MSW program and now works with her MSW in Oregon to support Latinx families

Keywords: Bronx; Ecuador; NYC; Peace Corps

Partial Transcript: What is your current job?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira is a bilingual family intervention therapist, she works to provide intensive treatment to families three times a week rather than typical once a week treatment. She works with minors and their guardians, typically with monolingual (Spanish-speaking) parents and their bilingual children. Her agency provides 24/7 crisis support to their clients, many of whom are leaving residential homes or are returning home after suicide attempts

Keywords: Albertina Kerr; Bilingual; Crisis Support; Drug Treatment; Family Therapist; Farm Home; Mental Health Services; Residential Homes; Safety Planning; Translation Services

Partial Transcript: How did you end up a therapist?

Segment Synopsis: All of Yajaira's jobs up until her MSW revolved around listening to people and their stories. She did not want to commit to psychology as a degree, so she went into a MSW program as it could allow her to work as a therapist, in incarceration programs, and in childhood education. She credits learning about ACE (adverse childhood experiences) as leading her toward focusing on intervention therapy.

Keywords: ACE; Adverse Childhood Experiences; MSW; Masters Degree; Prison Mental Health

Partial Transcript: How have you changed the perspective on Latinos?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira noticed that there were not many people at her agency who could speak Spanish, so information was not being communicated to families properly. She now meets with other bilingual staff members weekly to ask for the right resources to help her clients, including translated documents and outreach to other community members like police, teachers, and physicians to create cultural competency.

Keywords: Accessibility; Spanish Speakers; Translation Services

Partial Transcript: With your current experience, what have you learned about Latinos and mental health?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira notes that Latinx Americans are underrepresented in graduate degree recipients, and there are very few who work in mental health services. She explains that this leads to Black and Brown clients being on the lower end of a hierarchy where a White mental health professional is providing them with life advice. Yajaira notes that this dynamic can lead to issues such as the over diagnosis of ADHD in Black and Brown male students, whose behavior is interpreted as aggressive by White professionals. Seeing more Latinx members in politics and mental health has helped to improve these inequities.

Keywords: ADHD; Graduate School; Latinx; Mental Health; Underrepresentation; Willamette Valley

Partial Transcript: What has changed about mental health since you were a child?

Segment Synopsis: Yajaira believes that she had depression as a child but did not have the word for it, which she believes is true of many in the Latinx community. Today, there is more accessibility to information on anxiety and depression that can hopefully reach Spanish-speakers. Yajaira notes that racism, microaggressions, and systemic issues further burden POC community members, which make it difficult for them to treat the underlying mental health issues. Institutions like public schools are now becoming more aware of how these additional burdens and barriers can affect POC children.

Keywords: Anxiety; Depression; Discrimination; Invisible Disease; Microaggressions; Racism

Partial Transcript: How did your childhood lead you to your career?

Segment Synopsis: After being exposed to sexual violence, street harassment, and rigid gender roles in Ecuador, Yajaira reflected on her own upbringing. She realized that many of these ideas and norms were prevalent in her own upbringing, and that of many Latinx children. Through her MSW program she learned that early childhood education was important in intervening in rigid messaging that could limit options for Latinx students.

Keywords: Ecuador; Gender Roles; Latinx Culture; Parentification; Sexism; Sexual Harrassment; Street Harassment

Partial Transcript: Do you have any last thoughts?

Segment Synopsis: All Latinx members contribute to their community; Yajaira asks that members participate and engage actively in their communities to share and learn.

Keywords: Advocacy; Community; Latinx