1 50 1 https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/615964613e19e5e79fba26e2bd368b81.jpg f57309e471ddd05631a62a3beada4ec2 https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/original/f4b33cb94e6fbbbb876aaca2e7c0a072.mp3 964dde181c808f06467bd8996f5fdbd6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource VT Stories Oral History Collection (Ms2016-015) Subject The topic of the resource University history Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ms2016-015 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a> Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. <a href="http://spec.lib.vt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries, Virginia Tech</a> Description An account of the resource Initiated in 2015 by the President’s Office and managed by faculty and staff in History, English, TLOS, VT Libraries, and the Alumni Association, the VT Stories Oral History Project collects and examines stories, memories, tall tales, tragedies, and triumphs of all members of the Hokie community to help us know our shared history and to make sense of it. At the heart of the project is Hokies interviewing Hokies—largely student-staffed and trained by oral historians, interviewers engage with VT Alumni to learn their history and to make mentoring connections that go beyond the student experience. As we seek to understand why Virginia Tech is top rated in its success in engaging alumni, we highlight the exciting, memorable, historic moments in Hokie lives that have forged strong and enduring connections. Any questions regarding this collection should be directed to Ren Harman, Oral History Projects Archivist, harman07@vt.edu Is Referenced By A related resource that references, cites, or otherwise points to the described resource. <a href="http://vtstories.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VT Stories</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview. Ren Harman Location The location of the interview. Shanks Hall, Virginia Tech campus Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) 01:30:38 Viewer Select which type of viewer is needed for the files OHMS Narrator A person being interviewed during an oral history recording. Joe Frazier Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource VT Stories Oral History with Joe Frazier, October 30, 2017 (Ms2016-015) Type The nature or genre of the resource Oral histories Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Ms2016-015_JoeFrazier Subject The topic of the resource University History Description An account of the resource Joe Frazier began his undergraduate career at Virginia Tech in 2009, and remains a part of the Hokie community through his work as assistant director for the Culture and Community Centers in Squires, where he oversees the Asian Cultural Engagement Center. He also advises the Asian American Student Union, the Jewish Student Union, and the Muslim Student Union as part of his work at the university. Outside of Virginia Tech, Joe is an active member of the local NAACP chapter and is the Development Committee Chair for the Christiansburg Institute. Joe grew up in a variety of locations, both in the United States and internationally due to his father’s military career. Growing up, his parents both went to college and stressed education and good grades throughout his life, leading him go to college. At Virginia Tech, Joe majored in sociology and philosophy as an undergrad, and got two master’s degrees in the same subjects. Joe admits that he doesn’t have a very interesting story about choosing Virginia Tech for his college career; he just ended up a Hokie. He recounts his experiences as a Hokie with affection while also refusing to sugarcoat the more negative aspects of his time as a student, such as racial stereotyping and prejudice. In times when he faced these prejudices, Joe turned to organizations such as the Black Cultural Center and the Student African American Brotherhood where he was able to discuss these experiences with people who had been in similar situations. It’s organizations such as the Student African American Brotherhood and other everyday interactions with fellow Hokies that influenced Joe in his academic experience. It’s also similar interactions that provoked him to act on social issues, such as when he was convinced by a PhD student at an NAACP meeting to go to Ferguson, Missouri following the death of Michael Brown. Joe was also inspired by Paulo Freire’s statement that “Washing one’s hand of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.” Joe believes there is no such thing as neutrality when it comes to justice, and knows when he needs to act on his beliefs. In addition to protesting against police brutality, Joe formed the Student Police Unity League, a volleyball league with teams of police officers and minority students from Virginia Tech. In forming these teams, Joe hoped to create relationships between police officers and minority students. This league speaks to Joe’s desire to take a hands-on approach when it comes to social issues and activism. It’s action such as this that often made Joe stand apart. His frustration during graduate school with sociology scholars who have detailed theories on social inequality and social issues but never do anything inspired him to act personally and make an individual effort to address social problems. This action led to him receiving the Aspire Award for Civility in 2016. Joe appreciates being honored in such a way, and wants to highlight that there are many people doing hard work for social justice that don’t get recognized like he did. As far as activism and service goes, Joe encourages Virginia Tech students and faculty to be aware of the problems facing their immediate communities as well as the broader world. For Joe, serving fellow Hokies as well as people in surrounding counties who are struggling or facing injustice should common for Virginia Tech students. In this way, he lives out our university motto, Ut Prosim, and desires for Hokies to practice the motto in everyday life as well. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-10-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/files/thumbnails/spec_forms/PubPermission.doc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Permission to publish material from the VT Stories Oral History Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.</a> Is Referenced By A related resource that references, cites, or otherwise points to the described resource. <a href="http://vtstories.org/2018/01/29/joe-frazier-living-out-ut-prosim/" target="_blank">Joe Frazier, VT Stories</a> Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. <a href="http://spec.lib.vt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Special Collections, University Libraries, Virginia Tech</a> References A related resource that is referenced, cited, or otherwise pointed to by the described resource. <a href="https://oralhistory-dev.cloud.lib.vt.edu/ohms-viewer/viewer.php?cachefile=Ms2016-015_JoeFrazier.xml" target="blank">Click here for synced audio and transcript</a> archived