Dana Sales interviewed by Nicholas Nasser

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 regarding 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 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’ silence about the 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.

Dana Sales and Nicholas Nasser

June 23, 2021

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English

Oral History

Nicholas Nasser

Dana Sales

Zoom

.mp3

1:21:56

[0:13] Biographical information and discussion of the pronunciation of “Sales”
[1:29] Sales’ family background in Watsonville
[3:03] Memories of growing-up and working on the Sales family farm and other local farms
[4:31] Discussion of going to elementary school in a small rural district, consolidation of smaller school districts to form Pajaro Valley Unified School District, and Dana’s transition to Watsonville High School
[9:56] Memories of mother, Dora Esther Tomlinson Sales, working in the Watsonville canneries and her family’s migration and labor histories during The Great Depression
[11:39] Father, Florendo Macadangdang Sales’ migration history, migrant agricultural work, and career as a barber
[13:03] Urban redevelopment in downtown Watsonville during the 1980s in which the 200 block on Main Street, which housed a many minority-owned businesses, was condemned
[14:53] Florendo’s experiences in the Navy and owning his own barbershop
[16:05] The ways in which the redevelopment of downtown Watsonville effected Florendo
[17:33] Dana’s paternal grandfather’s experiences as a migrant agricultural laborer in Hawai’i
[18:35] Story of how Florendo and Dora met in Watsonville
[19:15] Florendo’s silences regarding racial discrimination and violence
[19:37] Dora and aunt’s on his mother’s side spoke about discrimination they faced for marrying Filipino men
[20:43] Dana’s parents’ decision to remain silent about racism in order to preserve notions of abundant opportunity in the United States
[21:41] Dana’s experience of racism during highschool and discussion of race-based tracking
[25:15] Story of Dana’s congressional nomination for the Naval Academy after highschool
[32:07] Systemic racism within the Naval Academy
[43:04] Dana’s educational and career after leaving the Naval Academy
[49:33] Dana’s work in real estate and on the Watsonville City Planning Commision as well as his efforts to fight against downtown redevelopment
[51:04] Discussion of the redevelopment of the 200 block in downtown Watsonville
[54:19] Watsonville as a diverse community and discussion of the positive change within the Watsonville Chamber of Commerce to be more representative of the community
[58:40] Dora’s and Florendo’s marriage in Seattle, WA due to anti-miscegenation laws in California
[1:05:19] Dana’s opinion on urban development and his work to preserve agricultural space in Watsonville
[1:08:01] Childhood memories of downtown Watsonville
[1:10:38] Discussion of growing up with nine siblings
[1:16:38] Memories of community and family social events and food