LOC StoryMaps

 

Introduction

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Our Mission

Our mission is to enhance student belongingness and learning by creating digital, interactive Story Maps that vividly illustrate the origins of Afro-Latinos. Through the creative remixing of engaging maps, photos, recordings, narratives, and other digital materials from the Library of Congress, we aim to bring history to life in a dynamic and accessible way. 

During the Fall and Spring 2024 semesters, faculty and their student participants contributed to the creation and curation of content with the support of the Library of Congress and our project team. Together, we explored innovative pedagogical strategies and storytelling techniques, enhanced by Esri's GIS-based Story Map technology. 

We invite you to explore these Story Maps and celebrate this journey of discovery and reflection with us, as we foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Afro-Latino heritage. Together, we are building a richer educational experience that connects and empowers our communities.  

 

Statement of Racial Sensitive Language 

A clear and respectful statement addressing the use of racially sensitive language. 

Please be aware that this project contains language and terminology that reflect historical contexts and perspectives, which may be sensitive or offensive to some readers. Some of the words associated with slavery and race in historical documents are considered offensive as they objectify the Afro-Latino people who were enslaved, disregard their own perspectives on this period of history, and often reduce individuals to a single term that fails to acknowledge the multiple strands of their ethnic/racial heritage. 

Knowing the most appropriate language to use when teaching and discussing the history of slavery and race can be both confusing and challenging. This is particularly true for Afro-Latino heritage, where the language remains controversial, and its meaning is not universally agreed upon. This complexity is also present in the Spanish language, where terminology is still in development in each country. Translating these terms adds another layer of difficulty, as the United States has a specific experience with slavery that differs from that of Latin American countries. 

As we strive to represent Afro-latino heritage with respect, we will be open to learning and updating our language choices as needed.  

  

Collections of Storymaps

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