Testimonio

• Testimonio 


  Presents the voice of a marginalized or oppressed individual, often recounting real life experiences of injustice, struggle, and resistance
• Characteristics of testimonio

  • First person narrative
  • Based on true events
  • Politically and socially charged
  • Aims to raise awareness or call for change
• Brief history of testimonio

  • Rooted in latin american literature and activism
  • Emerge prominently during revolutionary movements in the 20th century
  • A way for the voiceless to speak truth to power
  • Common themes include colonialism, oppression, exile, poverty, and resistance
• Purpose of testimonio

  • Document and expose social injustices
  • Inspire action and solidarity
  • Validate personal truth as part of collective memory
  • Challenge official histories are dominant narratives