Interview with Eugenio Caro

Interview with Eugenio Caro

Migration

Hartford

Political Activists

Latin American Pride

Puerto Rico

National Identity

Racial Mixture

Servitude

Colonization

History of Puerto Rico

Racism

Rio Grande

Sugar Plantations

Adoption

Internal Migration

Education

Poverty

Baseball

Labor

Citizenship

Trinity College

2019-06-19

Eugenio Caro

To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult The Watkinson Library at Trinity College to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation.

video

English and Spanish

006

Aidalí Aponte

Josselyn Alejandra Zaldivar

Stephanie Cerda Ocampo

Brenda Piedras

Eugenio Acevedo Caro

1:43:49

5.4 Unknown Date Interview with Eugenio Caro 006 1:43:49 VoM Voices of Migration Watkinson Library and College Archives Oral History Projects Eugenio Acevedo Caro Aidalí Aponte Josselyn Alejandra Zaldivar Stephanie Cerda Ocampo Brenda Piedras 0 Kaltura video &lt ; iframe src=&quot ; https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2366381/sp/236638100/embedIframeJs/uiconf_id/42684261/partner_id/2366381?iframeembed=true&amp ; playerId=kplayer&amp ; entry_id=1_pngki967&amp ; flashvars[streamerType]=auto&quot ; width=&quot ; 560&quot ; height=&quot ; 395&quot ; allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozAllowFullScreen allow=&quot ; autoplay * ; fullscreen * ; encrypted-media *&quot ; frameborder=&quot ; 0&quot ; &gt ; &lt ; /iframe&gt ; Spanish and English 18 Interview introduction Dr. Aidalí Aponte alongside students Josselyn Zaldivar, Stephanie Cerda Ocampo and Brenda Piedras introduce themselves and explain the project Voces of Migration to the interviewee in question: Eugenio Caro. Explanation of how the interview came to be. Activism ; Hartford ; Politics ; Trinity College ; Voices of Migration Hartford ; Migration ; Political Activists ; Voices of Migration 115 Brief introduction of the interviewee Eugenio Caro introduces himself and explains the origins of 'Caro', a &quot ; political&quot ; last name as he describes it. The interviewee gives a brief explanation as to the reason he decided to change his 'real' name, Eugenio Acevedo, to Eugenio Caro. Adoption ; Honor ; Upbringing Hartford ; Political Activists ; Voices of Migration 165 Pride in being Puerto Rican and Latin American Eugenio Caro discusses his birthplace, why he is proud to be a Puerto Rican, and everything that Puerto Ricans have contributed to the United States. Caro also explains why no one should be ashamed of their identity as a Latin American and should instead proudly announce their identity because it is a big part of who they are and helps to build Latin American unity. Hardship ; Identity ; Lack of Shame ; Mayagüez ; Puerto Rican Contributions ; Puerto Rico Latin American Pride ; Latin American Unity ; Latinx Pride ; National Identity ; Puerto Rican Contributions ; Puerto Rican Pride ; Puerto Rico 385 Early life: Birthplace and Mother's Background Eugenio Caro discusses his birthplace, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico as well as his mother's background, how she became pregnant, what she used to do and how she ended up in Central Igualdad de Mayagüez. Añasco ; Central Igualdad de Mayagüez ; Mayagüez ; Mixed marriages ; Puerto Rico ; Rincón ; Río Grande ; Servitude Mestizaje ; Puerto Rican Development ; Puerto Rico ; Racial Mixture ; Servitude https://goo.gl/maps/cycM3FRMbyAMhcbM8 Hacienda Igualdad, also known as Central Igualdad de Mayagüez. 533 Early life: Historical background of his place of birth Eugenio Caro provides an in-depth description of the bridge known today as Puente Histórico de Añasco, the exact place where his birth took place alongside a brief mention of the historical significance of the colonial practice of racial mixing in Puerto Rico. Caro describes the mistreatment of his mother, a &quot ; mestizaje&quot ; , and how his &quot ; bastard&quot ; origins have affected him. Añasco ; Blackness ; Colonialism ; Mayagüez ; Mestizaje ; Puente Histórico de Añasco ; Puente Salcedo ; Slavery Colonization ; Development of Puerto Rico ; History of Puerto Rico ; Mestizaje ; Racial Mixture ; Racism https://goo.gl/maps/VTd4ug1gjNJu9dPz7 Puente Histórico de Añasco, previously known as Puente Salcedo del Río Grande. The name of the bridge is attributed to Ramón Salcedo, a Spanish commander that was drowned by the indigenous people of Puerto Rico in order to test if the Spanish people were actually gods. Eugenio Caro refers to this bridge as Puente Ramón Sotomayor, however, extensive investigation reveals this might just be an error on his behalf as the only Ramón Sotomayor that could be linked back to Spain was allocated in what today is known as the country of Chile. As well, the Puente Histórico de Añasco fits the location (nearby Hacienda Igualdad) as well as the descriptions given by Caro (passes over the Río Grande and connects Añasco with Mayagüez, alongside being in the border between the two states). 724 Childhood Memories in Central Igualdad de Mayagüez Eugenio Caro explains his memories in Central Igualdad de Mayagüez and the nearby sugar plantations as well as the Río Grande and the consequences of living near to it. Central Igualdad de Mayagüez ; Sugar Plantation ; Sugar transportation ; Train Río Grande ; Sugar Plantations 831 Moving to Rincón and Separation From His Mother Eugenio Caro narrates the moment in which he moved to Rincón and how he grew up there, as well as the story of the separation between him and his mother. Adoption ; Migration ; Moving ; Playa Corcega ; Rincón Adoption ; Internal Migration https://goo.gl/maps/keFXEAGk4P3uXzZR8 Playa Corcega in Rincón, Puerto Rico. The place in which Eugenio Caro grew up alongside his adoptive family after moving to Rincón. 890 Being Raised by His Adoptive Family Eugenio Caro discusses the struggles of being poor, explaining several of the hardships (electricity and water), and being pressured to get an education by his adoptive family. Basketball ; Champions ; Oil Lamp ; Poverty ; Quinqué ; Sacrifices ; Schooling Education ; Poverty ; Struggles of Poverty 990 Going to School and Education In this segment, Eugenio Caro tells us about his journey in education and his decision in regards to what he wanted to study after graduating. Note: The segment features a brief pause at 17:58, however, there is a continuation about his education after said pause. Añasco ; Arts ; Dreams ; Education ; Elementary School ; Engineering ; Eugenio María de Hostos ; Graduation ; Mechanical Arts ; Mechanics ; Middle School ; School Education ; Engineering Education ; Schooling ; Vocational Education https://goo.gl/maps/ACqUB4EumVjLkyyb7 The Elementary School of Eugenio Caro's interview. Currently known as the Escuela Superior Eugenio María de Hostos located in Mayagüez. https://goo.gl/maps/yLfHJS38FpW3sKqV7 The Escuela Superior Vocacional de Mayagüez mentioned by Eugenio Caro. Upon further research following the mention from interviewer Dr. Aidalí Aponte-Aviles, the school matches the description given (located in front of the Universidad de Puerto Rico). The Vocational School is known today as the Escuela Superior Vocacional Dr. Pedro Perea Fajardo. 1121 Life and Skills After Graduation and Migration Eugenio Caro explains that, some time between his time in the Escuela Vocacional de Mayagüez and his graduation, he became a skilled baseball player. He points out other paths in life offered to him and what led him to migrate to Florida from Puerto Rico. Baseball ; Basketball ; Florida ; Gifts ; Graduation ; Inequality ; Migration ; Poverty Baseball ; Baseball Skills ; Migration ; Poverty ; Unemployment https://goo.gl/maps/JkUwuePoD5jQuBuq7 The Universidad Católica de Ponce or also known as the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico that offered Eugenio Caro a spot due to his skills in baseball. 1215 Migrating to Florida and Migrant Workers Eugenio Caro explains his experience of migrating to Florida with his uncle and his experiences with the migrant workers of Pompona Beach that had come from Mexico and Puerto Rico to work in the United States. Contracts ; Inmigrant Workers ; Lack of safety ; Mexico ; Pompona Beach ; Puerto Ricans ; Puerto Rico ; Safety ; United States Cheap Labor ; Citizenship ; Inmigrant Workers ; Inmigration ; Labor ; Puerto Rico ; United States ; Work Safety https://goo.gl/maps/KHfrcUnzqTGfjHjG8 Pompano Beach, city in Florida to which Eugenio Caro migrated to. 1315 Personal Experience As a Migrant Worker Eugenio Caro narrates his personal experience as a migrant worker at the age of 18 years and his interactions with Mexican workers and Puerto Rican campesinos. Campesinos ; Education ; Helping ; Letters ; Mexican ; Migrant Worker ; Personal Experience ; Schooling ; Workers ; Writing Education ; Migrant Wokers ; Migration ; Value of Education 1365 Experiences with Baseball in the United States Eugenio Caro explains how he joined the baseball scene in the United States in Florida and how he managed to obtain his first contract due to his baseball skills. African American ; Baseball ; Contracts ; Recruitment ; Teams Baseball ; Baseball Practice ; Contracts 1427 Racial Segregation in the US: Personal Experience Eugenio Caro explains the racial segregation that he witnessed in the United States and his struggles to understand it. The segregation, the lack of a proper infrastructure and other issues shocked Caro. He also explains the reasons his uncle came to Florida. Black People ; Fincas ; Hard Topic ; Lack of understading ; Mexican ; Puerto Rico ; Racial segregation ; Racial Tensions ; Racism ; Railroads ; Segregation Baseball ; Race ; Racial Segregation ; Racial Tensions ; Racism ; Segregation 1584 Almost Returning to Puerto Rico Eugenio Caro expresses how the racial segregation and poor living conditions that he was witness and subject to almost caused him to return back to Puerto Rico and leave everything behind. Florida ; Home ; Opportunities ; Professional Baseball ; Puerto Rico ; Tired Baseball ; Returning 1652 A Letter From Hartford in 1955 Eugenio Caro explains how a letter sent to him from Hartford by his friend, Juan Castillo, stopped him from going back to Puerto Rico. The letter was an invitation to go to Hartford, Connecticut and Eugenio Caro takes us through the thoughts and confusion that passed through his mind. America ; American History ; Books ; Formation ; Hartford ; Job Opportunities ; Juan Castillo ; League ; Letter ; Movies ; Puerto Rico ; United States ; US History Baseball ; Hartford ; Migration 1790 Departure to Hartford: Journey and Struggles Eugenio Caro takes us through his journey from Florida to Hartford, including an unfortunate mistake that takes him to the wrong airport and mistakes in clothing due to the change of climate between areas of the United States. Eugenio Caro explains how he managed to arrive at Grand Central. At 32:27 Caro breaks to give an explanation about why he tells people this story and all of its details. Airport ; Boston ; Changes ; Floridian ; Grand Central ; Hartford ; Helper ; JFK Airport ; Misunderstanding ; Naivety ; New Jersey ; Newark ; NY Airport ; Private Plane ; Rain ; Seasons ; Snow ; Winter Hartford ; Migration ; Winter in Hartford 1947 Why Does He Share His Story? Eugenio Caro explains why he shares his story, when he does it and why is it important for him to share his story for other people to hear. Angel ; Belief ; Crazy ; Inspiration ; Judgement ; Mutual Respect ; Respect ; Sharing ; Story ; younger generations Inmigration ; Inspiration ; Personal Stories ; Personal Story ; Story Sharing 1983 Departure to Hartford: Difficulties Eugenio Caro narrates his encounter with a man who helped him get to Grand Central Station to finish his journey to Hartford. This segment includes an explanation of the encounter and the experience in the train for Mr. Caro. 1956 ; Arrival ; Cardboard Suitcases ; Crazy ; Grand Central ; Language Struggles ; Lost ; Rain ; Taxi ; White Dress ; White Figure Hartford ; Migration ; Struggles 2124 Arrival in Hartford Eugenio Caro describes his arrival to Hartford and his encounter with the Castillo family in their house following the journey that was his odyssey from Florida to Hartford. 60-66 Main Street ; Arrival ; Daughter ; February Rain ; Hartford ; Johnny Castillo ; New York Airport ; Rain ; Rain in Hartford ; Yolanda Castillo Adaptation ; Hartford ; Migration https://goo.gl/maps/YSmXmHGXbT1Uq7tE9 Coordinates of 60-66 Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut in the United States of America. This is building in which Juan Castillo lived and the first place in Hartford that Eugenio Caro went to. 2222 What Was Hartford Like in 1956?: Diversity In The City Eugenio Caro explains to the interviewers what Hartford was like back in 1956. He goes into an explanation of the population size, the density of the population and the structure of the city. Eugenio Caro also goes into an in-depth description of the different spaces in which different nationalities lived during these times ranging from French-Canadians to Polish and Southern African Americans, including the placement of Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic people. African Americans ; Architecture ; Beautiful ; Church ; Connecticut Boulevard ; Densely populated ; Diversity ; Frog Hollow ; Hartford ; Hartford History ; Irish ; Italian ; Lack of segregation ; Nationalies ; Polish ; Population of Hartford ; Population Size ; Puerto Ricans ; Sectors ; Segregation ; South End ; South Green Area ; Structures ; Windsor Street Diversity ; Hartford ; Hartford History ; Nationality ; Segregation https://goo.gl/maps/a7r16LXNZET21JRn7 Church mentioned by Eugenio Caro as a melting pot for nationalities during the Sunday's service. 2473 Jobs Opportunites in Hartford: Availability and Benefits Eugenio Caro explains what types of jobs were available in Hartford at the time, the way they were offered and the many different subdivisions that jobs had in the city. In addition, Eugenio Caro mentions the importance of Puerto Rican women in the tobacco farming industry and their role in breaking the stereotypical portrayal of Latina women. At the end of the segment, Eugenio Caro mentions the economic benefits that these jobs ended up providing to different workers, especially those that were engaging in hard work through the city. Capital Avenue ; Companies ; Connecticut ; Hartford ; Industrial ; Industries ; Jobs ; Major jobs ; Mayor ; Minor jobs ; Role of Women ; Tobacco Companies ; Tobacco Farming ; Women ; Working Economic Benefits ; Employment ; Hartford ; Industrial Work ; Jobs ; Role of Women ; Tobacco Farming 2748 The Role of the Sacred Heart Church for the Hispanic Community in Hartford Eugenio Caro explains how, through his first job at the Sacred Heart Church in Winthrop Street, he managed to channel social work to the community. The Sacred Heart Church also functioned as a meeting place for the Puerto Rican community due to their shared culture and religion, becoming a safe-space for Hispanics. Eugenio Caro briefly mentions the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban exile as the catalyst to a negative sentiment towards Hispanic people due to the growing Hispanic population in the city. 1959 ; Andrew Cooney ; church ; Cuban Revolution ; cubans ; Cultures ; Implications ; Migration ; puerto ricans ; puerto rico ; religion ; sacred heart church ; Social Situation ; Social Work ; winthrop street Andrew Cooney ; Hartford ; Migration ; Puerto Ricans ; Religion ; Segregation ; Xenophobia https://goo.gl/maps/biy8hCgtRBjkQrtf6 The Sacred Heart Church Rectory in 49 Winthrop Street in Hartford, Connecticut. https://www.facebook.com/277284925952724/posts/saying-goodbye-to-the-church-of-saint-peter-in-hartford-it-is-always-painful-to-/585417688472778/ A Facebook post from Father Rosazza, providing an explanation of the history of the Saint Peter Church in Hartford alongside an explanation about is impending closure in 2018. 2861 The Evolution of Jobs and Work in Hartford Eugenio Caro provides a brief explanation in regards to the ways in which jobs and work would continuously evolve in Hartford due to the seasonal changes as well as why unemployment was not a very prevalent at the time. factories ; jobs ; production ; seasons ; tobacco companies ; winter Employment ; Hartford ; Tobacco Companies 2913 The Role of Father Andrew Cooney in the Community Eugenio Caro shares how Father Andrew Cooney participated in the community and pushed him towards pursuing an education in an aeronautics/aviation school. Andrew Cooney ; Church ; Community ; Father ; Jobs ; Searching Andrew Cooney ; Church ; Hartford ; Jobs 3005 Finding A Job in Hartford To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright. Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult The Watkinson Library at Trinity College to determine copyright holders for information in this collection. Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation. video 0