An A-to-Z of Oral History at Columbia is a monthly posting featuring the people, events, and organizations in the Oral History Archive at Columbia’s collections, as well as behind-the-scenes info about oral history methodology.
* This post is adapted from the catalog record description written by David Olson, OHAC archivist.
Collection title: Forty Percent oral history collection on gun violence in America, 2017-2020
Interview contents:
The Forty Percent oral history collection gives a powerful voice to survivors of gun violence in America. It delves deep into their experiences, from the initial traumatic events to the long-lasting impacts on their lives.
Beyond the Shooting
While the project documents the horrific acts of violence, it also shines a light on the aftermath. Survivors share their struggles with physical and mental health, the complexities of the legal system, and the financial hardships they face. Some narrators were directly targeted, while others experienced the devastating loss of a loved one.
A Wide Range of Experiences
The collection offers a comprehensive look at the various contexts of gun violence. It includes stories of domestic violence where guns are used as tools of control, the connection between gun violence and urban drug culture, and random acts of violence. It also addresses sensitive topics like mental health, gun access, and suicide.
Across America
Survivors from diverse communities across the country share their stories. From the bustling cities of Washington, D.C., and New York City to the suburban landscapes of Florida and Virginia, the impact of gun violence is felt everywhere.
From Victims to Activists
Many survivors have transformed their pain into purpose by becoming active members of the gun violence prevention movement. They discuss their involvement with organizations like Moms Demand Action, Everytown Survivor Network, and Wheelchairs Against Guns.
Understanding Gun Culture
The collection also provides valuable insights into gun culture in the United States. Survivors share their perspectives on gun ownership within their families and communities, the political climate surrounding gun control, and the influence of the gun lobby.
By giving a platform to these survivors, the Forty Percent project aims to raise awareness, promote empathy, and drive change in the fight against gun violence.
Sample Interview:
Oral history interview with Bruce Compton, 2020
Provenance: Holly Werner-Thomas, an oral historian, writer, and gun violence prevention (GVP) advocate, created the Forty Percent oral history project. The title references the dismaying statistic that 40% of Americans will experience gun violence firsthand or through someone they know.
Werner-Thomas aimed to go beyond the initial trauma of gun violence. Her interviews explored the often-overlooked consequences: the long legal battles, financial losses, and enduring physical and mental health challenges survivors face. She also wanted to capture the feeling of isolation many survivors experience as society quickly moves on.
A dedicated GVP activist, Werner-Thomas founded the Washington, D.C. chapter of Moms Demand Action in 2012. She began collecting interviews for the Forty Percent Project in 2017 while pursuing a Master of Arts in Oral History.
Between 2017 and 2020, Werner-Thomas conducted eleven in-depth interviews with survivors across the country.
Use cases: The collection also includes ancillary research materials illustrating other modalities for using oral histories and expanding access to them. These materials include: “The Survivors: A Documentary Play,” Thomas’s Capstone Project for the Degree of Master of Arts in Oral History, the capstone blueprint, and a final project note.
Access: This collection is available online and open to all researchers in the Digital Library Collection.
Additional resources:
- The Oral History Research Guide – for how to use oral history interviews as primary sources and methodology
- The Oral History Archives at Columbia FAQ – for how to listen to interviews and/or read transcripts