Oral history interview with Carmen Robles

Carmen Robles, born in St. Thomas of the US Virgin Islands, spoke about living with her mother and siblings in Puerto Rico from about 6 months of age until 10 years old, and then moving back and living in the Virgin Islands around 1968. Her mother was from the British Virgin Islands, and her father was also born in Virgin Islands and was of Puerto Rican descent. Her father died shortly after she returned to the Virgin Islands, and she spoke about how not having a father affected her and her life. She detailed her experience of and feelings about returning to the Virgin Islands and meeting her father's family. Robles talked about her private school experience in Puerto Rico; her public and parochial school experience in the Virgin Islands; and applying to and being accepted to Georgetown in Washington, DC. She explained she married during her senior year of high school and the consequences of that decision; and her experience of simultaneously working, taking care of her daughter, and attending Georgetown, where she studied Languages of Linguistics. She also spoke of her friendships at Georgetown, and her pregnancy with her second child. Robles spoke about her work experience, including, with the Latino community as a Spanish teacher at the Spanish Education Development (SED) Center; at La Clínica del Pueblo and learning about the politics of health; involving a child abuse project as a Office of Latino Affairs consultant; as public health specialist at Office of Latino Affairs; as a Planned Parenthood volunteer; and teaching Spanish to health professionals. She also discussed about her immediate and future goals involving her community work, education, family, and work with politics. Robles explained her political views on race and class; her identity as an Afro-Latino (not Hispanic), Black female who "fights for the rights of other women" (she avoids the label "feminist"); how she defined and/or identified herself in each country she lived; how people around her perceived her and her identity, including when she spoke up / spoke out about her political views, in each country she lived; and the racial aspects of living in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. Finally, Robles explained that she shares her difficulties because it might help someone else; the greatest lesson she learned was "be true to yourself" meaning "follow your pain, and explore the pain and figure out root of the pain" and polishing your identity; and she taught excellence, as defined within oneself, and compassion. Carmen Robles was interviewed by Anthony Knight. Interview is in English and minimal Spanish. Digital audio files include white noise and static; interviewee can be heard clearly for the most part. Note, after the date of this interview, Carmen Robles was also known as Carmen Robles-Gordon and then Carmen Robles-Inman.