The Historian's Table: Act IV – I Belong Here

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Introduction: The Story of Catarina de San Juan

The episode opens with a poignant recounting of Catarina de San Juan's death on January 5th, 1688, in Puebla, Mexico. Hosted by Charles Fournier, the narrative delves into Catarina's transformation from an enslaved South Asian woman to a revered Catholic icon. Despite her devout faith and the initial admiration she garnered, the chaos surrounding her funeral reveals the complex interplay of race, religion, and societal perceptions during that era.

Diego Javier Luis sets the stage:
"Catarina is different, darker, South Asian, a China. But she is also entirely familiar. Her Catholic fervor, her desire for spiritual solitude, all endear her to the public..." (00:12)

As the crowd overtakes the solemn procession, Catarina's legacy becomes a tangled mix of sainthood and dehumanization, highlighting how historical narratives are often shaped by those in power. Her Jesuit confessor, Alonso Ramos, remains the sole eyewitness to the harrowing events of her funeral, yet his account has been largely forgotten.

Host’s Reflection: Embracing Honest History

Charles Fournier transitions from Catarina's story to a broader reflection on identity and history. He emphasizes the importance of confronting all aspects of our past, both commendable and shameful, to foster genuine understanding and belonging.

Fournier remarks:
"We aren't always proud of where we come from. Sometimes as individuals, sometimes as a country. Too often we ignore parts of who we are or parts of our past that we are ashamed of..." (03:57)

He introduces the episode's theme—Act IV: I Belong Here—as an exploration of personal and collective identity, urging listeners to move beyond mythologized histories towards more nuanced and inclusive narratives.

Julian and Diego's Background: Roots in Nashville

The episode introduces two key figures, Julian and Diego, who share a common upbringing in Nashville but navigated their identities differently due to their mixed heritages.

Julian shares:
"I've known Diego, I guess for like a good part of, I mean, going on a decade now. And I think a lot of what we've done together because I'm mixed race as well. My mom is Vietnamese, she came from Saigon, and my dad is like Italian and Scandinavian. So very mixed..." (05:33)

Diego adds:
"...the perception was I'm a Mexican, right? And so I thought that's what I was. And so there was this one art Project where you make this ceramic cast that depicts where you come from and what I did for that..." (06:50)

Their shared experiences of feeling like outsiders in their predominantly homogeneous schools set the foundation for their later collaborations and explorations of identity.

Experiences at Harding Academy: Navigating Racism and Microaggressions

Both Julian and Diego recount their time at Harding Academy, a school deeply entrenched in Confederate history and struggling with its own legacy of racism.

Julian reflects:
"...little shitty things that happened to us that kind of haunted us to the point where we way overcompensated, even in our schoolwork and stuff as PhDs many years later..." (08:37)

Diego discusses the broader social climate:
"What I was aware of as I was going through Harding Academy in the early 2000s, these were the Bush years, post 911 was the very strong anti immigrant rhetoric that flowed among the students at the school..." (06:11)

Their narratives highlight how seemingly minor incidents of racism and microaggressions accumulate, significantly impacting their sense of self and belonging.

Changing School Culture: Efforts for Diversity and Inclusion

In response to ongoing controversies, notably the debate over the school's Confederate mascot, Diego and Julian engage with the outgoing headmaster, David Skene, to discuss initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive environment.

Diego recounts:
"Somebody had posted that this was a thing that was going to happen. And then all these parents and former students start posting and just start tearing apart the idea like, this isn't Harding. Harding has always been generals..." (10:01)

Under Skene's leadership, Harding Academy implemented measures such as hiring faculty of color, updating curricula to include diverse perspectives, and expanding scholarship opportunities to promote a broader understanding of diversity beyond race and ethnicity.

Diego notes:
"Dave was actually listening, and he shared with me his strategic plan for Harding and where they want to take the school and how far the school has come already." (11:28)

These efforts represent a conscious shift towards addressing the school's historical baggage and creating a supportive environment for all students.

Identity Exploration: Julian's Artistic Journey

Julian delves into his personal struggle with racial identity, particularly how it influenced his music and creative expression.

Julian explains:
"I grew up with so much like racial shame as a kid... I never wrote myself as how I look to other people. So my mind and my artistic mind... could never see myself the way I actually look..." (14:24)

This disassociation persisted until Julian encountered the Georgigawa Orchestra, a swing band of Japanese Americans interned during World War II. Inspired by their story, he initiated the No No Boy Project, an endeavor aimed at reclaiming his identity through music that authentically represented his mixed heritage.

Julian continues:
"It was in a way and it was through finding a crew, I guess, like other musicians who looked like me and writing songs about them. And when I had them, then my character of myself... was finally just me looked like me." (15:27)

This project marks a pivotal moment in his journey towards self-acceptance and artistic authenticity.

Diego's Scholarly Journey: Uncovering Asian Histories in the Americas

Diego shares his passion for historical research, particularly focusing on the often-overlooked presence of Asians in the Americas.

Diego states:
"I don't think I could have written this history if I hadn't grown up as a mixed kid in Tennessee. That's so left out of the Asian American narrative or even left out of the Latino narrative..." (23:02)

His work centers on Catarina de San Juan, whose well-documented life offers a window into the experiences of early Asian individuals in colonial Mexico. Diego emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives in historical research to avoid the pitfalls of a single narrative dominated by the powerful.

Diego underscores:
"A lot of these people were straight up slaves. I mean, that's something that we don't often think about in this country. And when you say slavery or slave, I think there's a particular image in mind, and it's closely linked to African American history..." (31:50)

By piecing together Catarina's life from scarce records, Diego reconstructs a more comprehensive understanding of Asian enslavement and resilience in the Americas.

The Importance of Diverse Perspectives in History

The episode highlights how history is often written by the victors, leading to the marginalization or erasure of certain groups. Diego advocates for inclusive research methodologies to uncover and acknowledge the stories of marginalized communities.

Diego explains:
"Suppose you're a young researcher, you're interested in history, but you don't really know where to start... if you go to an archive... you're going to find very, very little." (25:08)

He emphasizes the need for creative research approaches, such as examining property records and Inquisition documents, to construct narratives for those who were historically overlooked.

Diego adds:
"The Inquisition... creates a mini biography for that person. They ask them about their lives, about their parents, their grandparents, how they ended up in Mexico..." (27:42)

These efforts not only illuminate individual stories but also challenge the broader historical narratives that have excluded significant populations.

Conclusion: Embracing Complexity and Belonging

As the episode draws to a close, both Julian and Diego reflect on the journey towards self-acceptance and the importance of acknowledging one's origins.

Diego affirms:
"Everyone deserves to be proud of where they come from. And this was sort of kind of stain on my view of Nashville, I think, for a very good reason." (12:33)

Julian concurs:
"Is it more about, like, becoming okay with your actual origin story? That is. You're from Nashville." (19:33)

Their discussions emphasize that true belonging comes from embracing all facets of one's identity, even those that are complex or fraught with historical pain. This honest reconciliation with the past is essential for both personal growth and the collective understanding of history.

Charles Fournier concludes:
"An honest look into the past requires various perspectives. Only then will we gain a more truthful view of history." (24:43)

By acknowledging and integrating diverse narratives, we move closer to a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of our collective heritage.

Key Takeaways

• Catarina de San Juan's Story: Highlights the intersection of race, religion, and societal perceptions in colonial Mexico.

• Identity and Belonging: Personal narratives of Julian and Diego illustrate the complexities of mixed heritage and the quest for self-acceptance.

• Institutional Change: Harding Academy's efforts to diversify its culture reflect broader societal shifts towards inclusion.

• Historical Research: Diego's work underscores the importance of uncovering marginalized stories to enrich our understanding of the past.

• Embracing Complexity: True belonging and honest history require acknowledging and integrating all aspects of one's identity and heritage.

Notable Quotes:

• Diego Javier Luis:
  "Everyone deserves to be proud of where they come from." (12:33)

• Julian:
  "Becoming okay with, like, where you are. Like, where I was born." (20:54)

• Charles Fournier:
  "An honest look into the past requires various perspectives." (24:43)

This episode, based on Diego Javier Luis's book The First Asians in the Americas, serves as a compelling exploration of identity, history, and the enduring quest to belong. Through the intertwined stories of Catarina de San Juan, Julian, and Diego, listeners are invited to reflect on the multifaceted nature of history and the importance of embracing its full complexity.