Oral History Collaborations

In this interview, originally recorded via Zoom, Dana Sales speaks with Watsonville is in the Heart team member, Nicholas Nasser. Dana discusses his experiences growing-up and working on a rural farm outside of Watsonville as well as the differences between rural and urban areas of the Pajaro Valley in regards to his experiences attending primary and secondary schools in both settings. Dana provides an overview of his father, Florendo Macadangdang Sales' migration and labor histories— these include immigrating from the Philippines in 1929, working as an agricultural laborer, serving in the US Navy, and eventually opening his own barbershop on Main Street in downtown Watsonville. He also speaks about his mother, Dora Esther Tomlinson's work in Watsonville canneries and her family's experiences as migrant laborers during The Great Depression. Throughout the interview, Dana reflects on race and racism including his parents' silences about discrimination they faced and his own experiences with systemic racism during high school and when he attended the Naval Academy. Finally, Dana provides in-depth insight into the urban redevelopment of downtown Watsonville during the 1980s which destroyed many minority-owned businesses including his father's barbershop. Dana speaks about his efforts to stop urban development and preserve agricultural spaces in Watsonville through his careers in real estate and his tenure on the Watsonville City Planning Commision.