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[Last name, First name], Oral history interview conducted by [Interviewer’s First name Last name], [Month DD, YYYY], [Title of Collection], [Call #]; Brooklyn Historical Society.

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Emilio Hostalaza

Oral history interview conducted by John D. Vazquez

November 05, 1974

Call number: 1976.001.029

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0:19 - Introducción, educación en Puerto Rico, residencias en Brooklyn - Introductions, education in Puerto Rico, residences in Brooklyn

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6:08 - Recuerdos de Carlos Tapia - Memories of Carlos Tapia

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8:17 - Clubs en Brooklyn, Louis Weber, Armando Reyes, otras figuras prominentes en la comunidad - Clubs in Brooklyn, Louis Weber, Armando Reyes and other prominent figures in the community

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13:31 - Condiciones de vida y composición étnica en Hansen Pl. y Sands St. - Living conditions and ethnic composition on Hansen Place and Sands St.

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18:46 - Etnicidades de dueños de negocios, otros negocios puertorriqueños en el área - Ethnicities of business owners, Puerto Rican businesses in the area

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21:59 - Empleo de su hermano, encontrar empleo siendo puertorriqueño, prejuicios - Brothers’ employment, finding employment as Puerto Ricans, prejudice

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27:14 - James Kelly, opiniones acerca de política en EE.UU, Union Cívica Puertorriqueña - James Kelly, thoughts on U.S. politics, Puerto Rican Civic Union

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40:03 - Diferencias entre puertorriqueños entre las épocas de los 30s y los 70s obsevaciones finales - Difference betweens Puerto Ricans in the 1930's and the 1970's, closing remarks

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Interview Description

Oral History Interview with Emilio Hostalaza

Emilio Hostalaza was born in Puerto Rico in 1899 and arrived in Brooklyn, New York, on April 23, 1929. At the time of his interview in 1974, he had lived in Brooklyn for forty-five years. He resided in several Brooklyn neighborhoods, including the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Clinton Hill, Williamsburg, and DUMBO. He was employed in the restaurant business as a cook during his time in Brooklyn.

In this interview, Emilio Hostalaza discusses political movements within Puerto Rican clubs, where he relates specific information on the beginnings and transformations of the Betances Democratic Club. He describes political leaders in the community, such as Carlos Tapia and Jesus Colón. He describes the ethnic distribution of the Brooklyn neighborhood of Clinton Hill and the economic conditions of the Puerto Rican community. Interview in Spanish conducted by John D. Vazquez.

This collection includes recordings and transcripts of oral histories narrated by those in the Puerto Rican community of Brooklyn who arrived between 1917 and 1940. The Long Island Historical Society initiated the Puerto Rican Oral History Project in 1973, conducting over eighty interviews between 1973 and 1975. The oral histories often contain descriptions of immigration, living arrangements, neighborhood ethnicities, discrimination, employment, community development, and political leadership. Also included are newspaper clippings, brochures, booklets about Brooklyn's Puerto Rican community, and administrative information on how the project was developed, carried out, and evaluated.

Citation

Hostalaza, Emilio, Oral history interview conducted by John D. Vazquez, November 05, 1974, Puerto Rican Oral History Project records, 1976.001.029; Brooklyn Historical Society.

People

  • Colon, Jesus
  • Hostalaza, Emilio
  • Tapia, Carlos

Topics

  • Economic conditions
  • Employment
  • Political clubs
  • Politics and government
  • Puerto Ricans

Places

  • Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
  • Clinton Hill (New York, N.Y.)
  • DUMBO Historic District (New York, N.Y.)
  • Williamsburg (New York, N.Y.)

Finding Aid

Puerto Rican Oral History Project records