South Colton Oral History Project Collection
Document Type
Video
Loading...
Publication Date
3-20-2015
Summary
Tom Rivera interviews Ernie Gomez along with Henry Vásquez, two men with roots in Colton. Gomez is asked to talk about his family, starting with his mother and her journey to the United States. His mother only went to school one day in her life after his grandmother saw her play at school but eventually did learn how to read, write, play piano, crochet, and cook. She was a woman who loved music and had a family of musicians. When his mother quit, Gomez eventually took over her role in playing for Father Valencia’s church. After college, Gomez played instruments in the military and went back to continue his secondary education. Afterward, he taught choir in schools and joined a choir group as well. Henry Vásquez also talks about his history of learning and teaching music and of his family. Rivera asks Gomez if he realized South Colton was segregated in his youth, to which the latter tells memories of prejudice. The interview ends with the three men discussing the work that Gomez’s mother did in craft, food, and other impacts as well as memories of having fun as a youth.
Recommended Citation
CSUSB, "Ernie Gomez" (2015). South Colton Oral History Project Collection. 77.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/colton-history/77
