Oral History of Juan Fernando Soto Martínez, interviewed by Marina López, 19 May, 2019

Soto Martinez, Juan F.JPG

Title

Oral History of Juan Fernando Soto Martínez, interviewed by Marina López, 19 May, 2019

Description

Journalist and activist Juan Fernando Soto Martínez (b.1994) was born in the city of San Pedro de las Colonias, Coahuila, Mexico but soon his family moved to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. When he was seven years old, his parents decided to immigrate to the United States and settled down in Johns Island, South Carolina. From an early age, he excelled as a student and as a result, a couple from the Catholic community provided financial support to further his education. He attended Charleston Collegiate, a private school on Johns Island and Spring Hill College in Alabama where he earned a Bachelors in Journalism. After completing his degree, Soto Martínez returned to Charleston and founded Recursos Estatales (State Resources), an information service for the local Spanish-speaking community. In the interview, Soto Martínez reflects on his DACA status, the complexities of growing up in a small community, his love for journalism and his activism. He affirms his right to live his life on his terms and to pursue his dreams as a Latino gay man.

El periodista y activista Juan Fernando Soto Martínez (1994) nació en la ciudad de San Pedro de las Colonias, Coahuila, México, pero pronto su familia se mudó a Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. Cuando tenía siete años sus padres decidieron emigrar a Estados Unidos y se radicaron en Johns Island, Carolina del Sur. Desde pequeño se destacó como estudiante y un matrimonio de la comunidad católica lo ayudó económicamente para que pudiera estudiar en la escuela privada de Johns Island, Charleston Collegiate y posteriormente en Spring Hill College en Alabama donde obtuvo el título de Bachelor en Periodismo. Después de completar sus estudios regresó a Charleston y fundó Recursos Estatales, un emprendimiento periodístico que sirve a la comunidad hispanohablante local. En la entrevista, Soto Martínez reflexiona sobre su situación de joven DACA, las complejidades de crecer en una comunidad pequeña, su amor por el periodismo y su activismo. Afirma su derecho a vivir su vida en sus propios términos y a perseguir sus sueños como joven latino y gay.

Source

Las Voces del Lowcountry

Publisher

The Citadel Archives & Museum

Date

Rights

Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.

Format

application/pdf

Language

Spanish

Type

Text

Identifier

https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/1081

Coverage

Charleston (S.C.)

Duration

91 minutes

Interviewer

Marina López

Interviewee

Juan Fernando Soto Martínez

Location

Charleston, South Carolina

Collection

Citation

The Charleston Oral History Program at the Citadel, “Oral History of Juan Fernando Soto Martínez, interviewed by Marina López, 19 May, 2019,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed April 19, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/1081.

Geolocation