Latino Americans in Augusta Oral History Project: Carlos Barreras and George C' de Baca

Interview Summary

Carlos Barreras and George C’ de Baca are from New Mexico. Mr. Barreras identifies as a “Hispanic American or American of Hispanic descent”. Mr. C’ de Baca describes himself as an “American of Spanish descent”. The two discuss their families’ long history in the area that eventually became the U.S. state of New Mexico. They also discuss the unique heritage of New Mexicans with similar backgrounds.

The two talk about their youth in New Mexico.  They speak about the lower socioeconomic situation of and discrimination against New Mexicans of Hispanic descent that they experienced and/or witnessed. Both enlisted in the military, which is how they came to Augusta. Both Mr. C’ de Baca and Mr. Barreras completed their higher education following their time in the military.

Mr. C’ de Baca discusses how the conversation about Hispanic/Latino people in the US has become negative over time. Mr. Barreras and Mr. C’ de Baca discuss the growth of the Hispanic/Latino population in Augusta over the years. They also discuss their hopes for the Hispanic/Latino community here.

Both men were involved in the Mexican American Cultural Society in the 1980s, which aimed to teach local residents about Mexican and Hispanic cultures. They talk about how the organization came to be. They talk about the importance of people like Dr. Jana Sandarg who have been involved in supporting Hispanic/Latino organizations and promoting Hispanic/Latino cultures. Mr. Barreras and Mr. C’ de Baca later became involved with the Asociación Cultural Hispanoamericana (ACHA) that was formed after the Mexican American Cultural Society. The two men talk about how culture has kept them involved with the Hispanic/Latino community in Augusta.

The pair end the interview talking about the cultural changes in their children and grandchildren’s generations.