Search results
Islandora advanced search
Islandora sort
Pages
- title
- Mississippi - Canton: Worth Long Interviewee [Part 1]
- Subject
- African Americans, Blues, Civil rights, Jazz, Music, Race relations
- Date created ms
- 1991-10-05, 1991-10-05
- Name
- Long, Worth
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Worth Long in Port Gibson, Mississippi. Dent asks about music in Canton and Long discusses a fan harmonica player named Sam Meyers, Lonnie Pitchford, Board Rivers, Clyde Maxwell and Belton Suthermen. Long also mentions a revival recorded by Alan Womack in a Baptist church near Canton. Long explains that a "music town" was defined by its juke joints and access to alcohol. Dry counties could still have access to liquor though bootleggers and paid-off policemen. Juke joints were primarily dance halls, called barrels houses after the barrels of whiskey. They are places for "boogie-woogie" dance blues played on piano. Smaller gatherings may have a single musician on a guitar but the dance halls tended to be larger bands with combinations of piano, vocal, bass, lead, guitar and drum. Long says there is a line drawn in Mississippi between blues and religious music. Long explains that blues is "the devil's music" to religious authorities and that Whites looked down on it. Dent says this is not the case in New Orleans. Long states that Neshoba County was a wet county that brought in a lot of musicians. Fayette and Philadelphia also had popular clubs owned by Charles Evers, Medgar Evers' older brother. Meridian and Jackson also had active night life. Long also mentions that there were several talented and respected female blues musicians including Sister Babe Stovall from near Hazlehurst who played with The Sweethearts of Rhythm. Mississippi John Hurt was also from the area. Dent and Long discuss the childhood of Chester Barnette, otherwise known as Howling Wolf. Long mentions that he knew Barnette personally. Long discusses the importance of Memphis to the blues and some of his personal experiences there. They discuss the origins of blues lyrics which include field hollers, work calls, lullabies, and levy camp/railroad calls that made their way into a "blues lexicon." There is also a "protest lyric" genre within the lexicon which tends to not be produced by White labels. Long lists Indianola, Greenville, Vicksburg, Hollandale and Clarksdale as famous blues towns. Though not all of them are connected with water, many are. Vicksburg was particularly connected with piano based dance music and had its own form of blues. The police protected blues musicians within the city. Long mentions that the dynamic changes once juke boxes replace live musicians. Long says that there are two particularly important musicians out of the delta: Skip James and Elmore James. Elmore James, in Holms County, was the first to make the guitar the lead instrument over the piano. Guitar's significance came hand in hand with amplification because it could not be heard over the piano previously. Slide guitar was also a significant innovation. They discuss middle notes and ways to create a blues scale. Long says a man named Dudlow created boogie-woggie blues on the piano by hitting the keys hard, almost like a drum. Similarly, Robert Johnson's great innovation was to make guitar playing drum-like.
- title
- Mississippi Delta: Hollis Watkins Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Blues music, Civil rights, Indians of North America, Methodist churches, Music, Race relations, Religion
- Date created ms
- 1991-08-27, 1991-08-27
- Name
- Watkins, Hollis
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Hollis Watkins in the Mississippi Delta. Watkins outlines his religious upbringing and his family's deep involvement in the church. Watkins explains that his family is from Lincoln County, Chisholm Community and he can trace his family back to his Great-grandfather. He explains that his father was born in 1899 and his mother in 1900 with Watkins being the youngest of nine children. He explains that his relatives on his mother's side were "Indians (Choctaws) and Jews". Watkins recounts childhood memories of local caves and digging for arrow heads. He states that there was no community of Indians left by the time he was growing up but some of the Blacks in the area had Indian blood and selectively practiced elements of Indian heritage. Other Blacks with Indian heritage denied their backgrounds entirely. Dent comments that the Choctaw of the region were pushed into Oklahoma and those that could often passed as Black to avoid the reservations. Watkins recalls that he grew up African Methodist (AME), the next closest church was a Holiness church and a Baptist church and Watkins recalls going to all three throughout his childhood. He recalls that Bible Study and Prayer Meeting are common practices in the area and a means of creating community. Elderly members of the community normally lead the Prayer Meetings, priests were generally not involved, and the leaders may or may not have any official connection to the church. The meetings were attended based on demographics, not necessarily on denomination: you could go to the closest meeting regardless the type of Christianity you practiced. The church also put on Community Theater and plays which took place in the local schools. Some of the plays were religious but some were for pure entertainment. There were also plays specifically for children. The plays were generally written by people in the community, whoever "felt like it". Dent comments that there are few avenues for social entertainment and connection in these small towns outside of church events. Watkins recalls that the church once screened a movie but that there was also a local, segregated movie theater a few miles away. Dent asks when Watkins first met "Bob" and Watkins recalls that he was with several other Civil Rights leaders. Watkins recalls he had just returned from California when he was told several significant Civil Rights leaders were in the area and they went to meet them in McCollum. Watkins joined the voter registration initiative with a friend. He was eventually arrested and his father was harassed. Watkins recalls that there were some Blues performers in the area but mostly it was church music and Blues was seen as anti-church. infact, some churches did not allow instruments for serval years because it was too close to Blues. The guitar was seen as "the devil's instrument."
- title
- Mississippi - Greenville: Betty Jo Himes and Bob Boyd Interviewees
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Education, Economics, Race relations
- Date created ms
- 1991-10-23, 1991-10-23
- Name
- Himes, Betty Jo
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Betty Jo Himes and Bob Boyd in Greenville, Mississippi. Dent muses on the differences between Greenville and Indianola's economies. They talk about the possibility of Greenville undergoing an economic transition into a new type of economy. The old factory labor is dying out, but perhaps it will be replaced with something else. The demographics of the area are changing, as are the professions of local people. Boyd thinks tourism might revitalize the community. He thinks the Civil Rights and musical history of the region might bring people in. He thinks perhaps a Blues Festival of Native American Museums might be popular. Himes says the issue of a Blues Festival has been dividing the community, but she believes people will come to support it. Dent believes the resistance might be due to racism because blues is such a "Black" music form. He talks about the establishment of Jazz Fest in New Orleans. They elaborate on the challenges Greenville faces and the resources it possesses to face those challenges. Boyd says "brain drain" is a serious problem. Children that leave for college do not often come back to the area because there are no jobs. He says Black people no longer fear to live in the area. He also says that the leadership, White and Black, are generally ineffective and uninspiring. Himes says plant closings leading to economic decline are the greatest challenge facing Greenville at the time of the interview. Many jobs were lost when the factories shut down. Boyd compares the local colleges. He believes Delta State university is the most successful at the time of the interview. He says the people that go there are generally working class children who are intelligent but cannot afford the University of Mississippi. It is also one of the more integrated schools. Dent compares the Black communities of various significant cities. Himes says, since cities like Greenville are still relatively new, they are more open to positive, racially progressive change. Boyd says the marches, demonstrations and strikes over racial issues are hindering Greenville's ability to bring in business investors. Boyd believes Greenville is really hurting from a lack of good leadership. Dent asks about the public school systems and Boyd explains that the public school is still a majority Black and there is still a thriving academy with mostly White students. They discuss possible sources of change and improvement for the education system.
- title
- Mississippi - Greenville: Mike Espy Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Agriculture, Civil rights, Economics, Education, Race relations, Universities & colleges
- Date created ms
- 1991-10-21, 1991-10-21
- Name
- Espy, Mike
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Mike Espy in Greenville, Mississippi. Dent asks what Espy what he believes the economic future of the delta will look like. He specifically asks about Greenville and Indianola, which have vastly different economic situations. Espy says people need to use what they have, invest in local markets and create new markets. Espy discusses the market for catfish and soybeans, which drives the local economy. He says catfish is a great example of a new and growing economy that is having a real effect on the local economy as a whole. He says the economic struggles of Greenville cannot be separated from the general economic downturn in the nation. Furthermore, there is still disconnect between the Black and White communities. He talks about the effects on the community when younger generations are forced to move out of the south in order to find economic opportunities. Espy talks about his efforts to run for political office. He realized that, although Blacks were the majority in the county, they were not the majority of voters. Therefore he would need a significant number of White votes. In his first election he received about 12% of the White votes. His second race in 1948 he got about 40%. The most recent election was about 68% and he now holds about 78% approval. He says the key to receiving White support was travel and good representation. They discuss gerrymandering and its use by the Republican Party in Mississippi. They discuss the likelihood of another Black elected official to follow Espy and the possibilities for his future in politics. Espy says he went to Howard for his undergraduate degree and the University of Santa Clara for law school. He says he was involved in student politics at both of those institutions but had not seriously considered it as a career path when he returned to Mississippi. He opened a law practice but saw an opportunity to get involved until Robert Clark lost his second race in 1974.
- title
- Mississippi - Indianola: Carver A. Randle Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Education, Music, Race relations, Religion
- Date created ms
- 1991-10-22, 1991-10-22
- Name
- Randle, Carver A.
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Carver A. Randell in Indianola, Mississippi. Randell states they are in the home of BB king for the interview. Randell states his father is originally from Tennessee and moved to Madison County. He came to Indianola with the White people he worked for. He was a domestic chef/gardener. His father's employers were an established and respected family; he worked for them for about 30 years. Randell says he had three older brothers who went to college before him but only the oldest one graduated. Randell states his father was very supportive of higher education and worked hard to keep his sons in school, even when he was criticized by other family members. His father died after his first year of law school. Randell says he is sad his father never got to see him pass the bar and become a lawyer. Two of his bothers went to the same college he did, Mississippi Valley State College, the other went to Northwestern. Randell states SNICC was very active while he was in college but he did not get involved with it until after her graduated in 1965. When he did get involved he mostly focused on issues of equal education. Randell recalls that his father was concerned about his son's involvement in Civil Rights but he never forbid it. Some of his decision to become active in Civil Rights came from his Catholic upbringing. Randell recalls that his priest, Father Walter Smigiel, was very outspoken and inspired Randall to get involved. He said there had been an understanding in Indianola to not hire Catholics in the school system. It prevented him from getting a job as a teacher in his home town for a long time. He worked originally as a football coach and teacher in Batesville, Mississippi where he had limited interaction with the community. He would come home to Indianola over the summer and become active in social initiatives through the Indianola Development Association. He was active with this organization between 1965 and 1967. After that point, infighting started over the approach to education. Eventually, the Development Association fell apart they brought in a man named George Fluker to help set up a branch of the NAACP. Randell was elected as the first president of the new branch and organized school boycotts, economic boycotts, and marches. They addressed issues of education, such as poorly stocked libraries. They also addressed the lack of jobs available to Blacks in the economic downtown. Randell states that they were largely successful in their efforts. He ran for mayor in 1968 and lost by 35 to 40 votes. Afterwards, Randell was still unable to get a job as a teacher in Indianola;and had to work in a neighboring county instead. He went to Law School at University of Mississippi in 1969. Dent asks what progress Randell sees in Indianola since his childhood. Randell says there are some progressive people but most are only pretending. The general mindset has not changed much. He says there is a good relationship between Whites and Blacks but Whites are still unwilling to share enough to make the situation fully equal. This is particularly true with regards to government and city jobs. The Blacks that are in positions of power are not active enough to bring about change. His wife was denied a job based on her race and they took the case to federal court. Randell states that he has been called the most controversial person in Indianola in the past 15 years.
- title
- Mississippi - Indianola: David Mathews Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Agriculture, Civil rights, Economics, Education, Military life, Race relations, Religion, Segregation, World War II
- Date created ms
- 1991-10-21, 1991-10-21
- Name
- Mathews, David
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews David Mathews in Indianola, Mississippi. Mathews states that his family was originally from Hinds County and his parents moved to Indianola. Mathews served in the army during WWII and returned to Indianola afterwards. Mathews attended Morehouse College in Atlanta. He came back to Indianola after graduation because he felt he was needed. Once there, he taught in the public elementary school for 8 years and the high school for 25 years. He was also a Baptist pastor at the same time at Belgrove Church. Since retirement he has been focusing on his work with the church. Mathews talks a little about how it felt to live in a segregated community. School Principal was the highest official position a Black man could aspire to. They discuss a School Supervisor positon that was open to some Blacks and women. Mathews states that the voting rights act created a lot of change. Mathews says that one of the buildings belonging to the church was burned down in 1964 because it was used for Head Start programing and to hold meetings on Race related issues. Mathews talks about the process of de-segregation and Black election campaigns. They discuss Black women who were active in Civil Rights and the movements they spearheaded. Mathews discusses Greenville and Indianola, stating Greenville is a behind in terms of de-segregation. They discuss a new middle school being built in Indianola. Mathews expresses some surprise that the White community was so supportive of the school because a majority of White students attended a private academy. They discuss Greenville, which Mathews states is not doing well economically. They discuss a catfish farm in Greenville that went on strike. He says the main exports of the region are rice, beans, catfish and cotton.
- title
- Georgia - Atlanta: Worth Long Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Business people, Desegregation, Education, Religion, Universities & colleges
- Date created ms
- 1991-02-07, 1991-02-07
- Name
- Long, Worth
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Worth Long in Atlanta, Georgia. Long talks about growing up in Durham, North Carolina and the differences between Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. He discusses the success of African American owned businesses in Durham, and insurance businesses in particular, and describes the Black main street area of town, Federal Street. He talks about the kinds of people who founded the businesses, pointing out that they were primarily those descended from plantation families. Long contrasts the Black universities in North Carolina: North Carolina Central [NCC], North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University [A&T], and Winston-Salem Teachers College. He talks about Dr. Charles Shepard, who founded NCC. White Rock Baptist Church was the major church in Durham, and St. Joseph AME Church was also a major one. They discuss the system which has been historically oppressive to Black people and Long's perception of the system. He discusses school integration and how the actions of White universities impacted the African American community. He recalls visiting Duke's campus for speakers and sporting events, but no seating was available for Black visitors. The theaters and bus system had segregated seating. The Hayti section of town was all Black, with no restrictions.
- title
- Louisiana - New Orleans: Andrew Cordrescu Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Food, Jazz, Music festivals, Society
- Date created ms
- 1992-03-24, 1992-03-24
- Name
- Cordescu, Andrew
- Abstract
- Andrew Cordrescu and Tom Dent record for WGBH 1992 Jazz Festival Broadcast, 1992 March 24 and WWNO Studio. They discuss the food of New Orleans, particularly Fried Oysters, Alligators and Crawfish. Dent mentions a woman, Lucile, who cooked his favorite oysters in the city. They then trade stories about people that come to visit New Orleans and never leave. Dent talks about those that come to New Orleans to "fix it" and never leave. He also talks about those who grew up in small towns around the south whose souls are from New Orleans and whose weirdness was never understood elsewhere. They re-tape a few conversations and ask about time and which takes are best. Dent does a monologue about driving to New Orleans and looking at the Mississippi with his father. Cordrescu reads a monologue about rain and its effect on New Orleans. Cordrescu reads another piece on costumes during Mardi Gras and Halloween. Dent reads a final piece on New Orleans music in his home neighborhood of the Treme and a local band called The Little Rascals.
- title
- Louisiana - New Orleans: Vertamae Grosvenor Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Family, Food, Languages, Race relations
- Date created ms
- 1992-03-16, 1992-03-16
- Name
- Grosvenor, Vertamae
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Vertamae Grosvenor in New Orleans, Louisiana. Grosvenor begins by explaining that her family is from Beaufort County and Hampton County as well as Allendale County. She says her roots are from some nearby "James" and "John" islands as well as Savana, Scotia, Fairfax, and St. Helena. She says there was a lot of prejudice from city to city, even between Black communities. Those from Charleston, she says, seemed to think themselves superior. Grosvenor recounts her efforts to lose her "Ogeechee" accent because she was bullied after her move to Philadelphia. Her eating habits also changed in an effort to fit in. She switched from rice to more "American" foods like cornflakes, Campbell soup, mashed potatoes, and steak. Grosvenor explains that she prefers seafood, shellfish, and chicken now. The way she was raised she says was perceived as "ignorant." Though there was always a distinction between those whose family were from an area and were raised there and those who were considered newcomers. Grosvenor outlines a number of slang terms that came from African languages she used often in every day conversation. She also recalls times that the community would gather to discuss topics relevant to all of them. The farmers were a particularly active group. There were also "clans" which were smaller units. She does not recall being particularly proud of her African origin, it was "simply there" though it was a means of distinction and community.
- title
- Mississippi - Canton: Frank S. Street Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Art, Boycotts, Civil rights, Education, Economics, Integration, Jazz, Music festivals, Organizations, Tourism, Universities & colleges
- Date created ms
- 1991-11-17, 1991-11-17
- Name
- Street, Frank S.
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Frank S. Street in Canton, Mississippi. Street says he was born in Wichita and moved two Canton in 1958 and attended the public school. He says his father was phycologist that went to Tulane and the University of Texas. Street says his father passed in 1958 and they moved to Canton to be near his mother's family. His father's family lived in Texas. Street says life is slower in Canton then with a higher population of Blacks in Canton. He says the schools were still segregated when he attended, integrating during his senior year in 1965. Street recalls some boycotts that occurred when he was 14. He remembers thinking it was exciting and notes it was successful. He remembers marches, says to ask L.S. Johnson about violence during those marches because he does not recall seeing any as a child. Street says there were two teachers and both were White. The first year of integration he notes there were only two Black students. Street notes that the students at this school were not very active in civil rights and the teachers rarely discussed it. Dent calls it "apathy" or "determination to not acknowledge." Street talks about the "neighborhood schools" which is where Blacks learned before integration. After integration, he says, White students moved to "academies". Street discusses the anger of the local White communities that Whites came from outside the community to participate in marches. Street says he was excited by the marches and would drive by to watch them but was afraid to participate. Street notes that his upbringing in Wichita made him more sympathetic to integration. He notes his Catholic upbringing also made him more sympathetic. Street says he went to the University of Mississippi, majoring in finance, and worked for Handcock Bank afterwards in Poplaville in South Mississippi. He returned to Canton in 1977. Street notes that there are many more Black elected officials in the area then when he grew up. He says this helps the White and Black communities work together. Street notes that there are not a lot of new people coming to Canton because they lack new jobs. He says the farming community is shrinking. Street says that the largest industries in Canton are the furniture manufacturing plant and the chicken processing plant. Street says a lot of local people leave for Jackson to find employment. They discuss Madison and Ridgeland, local communities. Dent asks about local food and assistance programs, Street mentions the Summer Feeding Program and the Madcap. Dent says they have various sources of funding, local to federal. They have a mixed board and provide full time jobs and vital community assistance. Street notes that they started in the 1960s. Dent asks about Street's bank and Street discusses the history of banking in Canton. They also discuss the local square and the business around it, including a new private art school. Street discusses a biannual flee market in Canton and Dent notes skilled Black craftsmen who are looking for places to sell and create. He mentions a market called Congo Square where they can sell and also mentions an "indigenous" craft movement he has been supporting and mentions New Orleans, Mardi Gras, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
- title
- Mississippi - Canton: George C. Nichols Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Civil rights leadership, Education, Land tenure, Race realtions
- Date created ms
- 1994-01-11, 1994-01-11
- Name
- Nichols, George C.
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews George C. Nichols in Canton, Mississippi. Nichols states his family has lived in Madison County since his great-grandparents. His great-great-grandmother lived to be over 100 and told his parents about her experience as a slave. His family used to own property on the East side of town. That side has always been a Black community. Nichols states it was fairly common for Blacks to own land because the Black population was so large. He believes his family came into possession of the land during Reconstruction. They also owned a corner store. His family lost a lot of the property because it was close to White owned land and they were bought off. His father inherited a much diminished piece of land. Eventually his father moved into the south side of Canton where there was a large Black community. They were divided by a railroad track from the White community. Nichols says his father was a laborer for a lumber company. It was the only thing available without a formal education. Nichols says his grandfather went to college for some years but there was no real expectation that he go. His oldest sister went to business school. The brother next in age went to Tennessee State; the next brother did the same but did not do well there. The rest of his siblings got at least an undergraduate degree. He says his parents passed away when he was quite young but they were proud to have so many children attend college. His father always said education came first. Nichols explains that many in the community aspired to college. The High School in the area was called Cameron Street School. The principal was named A. M. Rodgers. He said there was a movement of people into the city as they lost their land. He finished high school in 1963, the summer after Medgar Evers was shot. Nichols says he participated in Civil Rights but he found non-violence unnatural. He said he always felt disconnected from the movement for this reason. Nichols says Civil Rights was not really talked about at school, the teachers avoided getting involved. Nichols says there has always been potential for Black domination of politics in Madison County because the Black population was so high. Whites often divided the Black community to mitigate their potential power. He says the means of White domination have changed but are still active. Segregation left a mindset that still handicaps the Black population. That is why, though Blacks cannot vote, many chose not to. Nichols says his parents were sympathetic to Civil rights but were also very protective of their children. They discuss Miss Divine, Nichols states that she was a member of his church and he grew up knowing her. Dent asks if she was accepted as a female Civil Rights leader by the community. Nichols answers that she was articulate and well known; it was natural that she should take a leadership role and was generally accepted. Nichols talks about his time at the University of Mississippi. He says he was one of the first Black lawyers in Canton when he returned in 1976. Dent asks about George Raymond. Nichols says he was courageous, one of the bravest people he knew. Nichols mentions the split that occurred among many of the civil rights leaders after the sixties. He states it was over money and it was a shame. Nichols states that he spent 1979 to 1989 in City Council but that the community was so divided he felt the positon was thankless and lacked resources. He decided not to run again. They discuss the differences between Canton and Greenville.
- title
- Mississippi - Jackson: Charles W. Tisdale Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Corruption, Crimes, Economics, Education, Slavery, Plantations, Race relations, Slave rebellions
- Date created ms
- 1991-12-28, 1991-12-28
- Name
- Tisdale, Charles W.
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Charles W. Tisdale in Jackson, Mississippi. Dent asks about Madison County and notes the large number and public nature of the civil rights battles there specifically mentioning Bob Moses and George Raymond. Tisdale notes that he saw Moses in Memphis in 1962. Tisdale says Madison is divided Black elected officials serve the wishes of the White community over the needs of the Black community. Tisdale says only about 3 or 4 Black elected officials actually speak for the Black community. Dent calls it "neocolonialism." Tisdale says that Madison County will never progress because it is the heartland of "White power", sighting nearby Yazoo County. Tisdale notes a slave rebellion that had been planned in Madison Country that was broken up by Black informants. He says Whites "kill with impunity," noting a man who was killed in jail and the guard said he hanged himself. They discuss the slave and plantation history of Madison County, noting the Andrew Jackson was married nearby. Tisdale says that there is scarce Black leadership but names Karl Banks and McCullum who are both supervisors for the county as decent leaders. Tisdale explains that Blacks were terrorized more in Madison and Yazoo counties because there is a large Black population in that area and if they were given representation they would be the majority. Tisdale notes some professionals returning to Madison County from Canton, naming Blackman, Smith and Nichols. Dent asks about the post-civil rights time period when he notes infighting, particularly in the Head Start program and between George Raymond and Reverend McCrea. Tisdale states that the infighting was instigated by the Whites due to their control over the economics of the region and "inherited perspective" and naming the Mississippi Plan. Tisdale notes the Canton has a higher percentage of Black on Black crime and says it is due to a sense of powerlessness and lack of worth instilled by White dominance and intentional scheming. Tisdale says that the loss of the NAACP in the area is acutely felt and that it destabilizes and decentralizes the Black community. In their place, Whites place Black leaders who are malleable to their wishes, naming Aron Henry and Rev. Johnson. Tisdale says that there is no vehicle currently where people can discuss real issues facing the Black community without facing in fighting or arrest. Tisdale says that educated children should try to leave the state: that the politics are too high a price to pay. Tisdale names Benny Thompson, a Supervisor in Bolton, as a good Black leader and they speculate the reasons for his success. Tisdale says the lack of education on ethical principles and philosophy has a real effect on Black leadership. Dent says that young Blacks are more interested in making money then leadership. Tisdale says that the youth of the community don't think of themselves as African Americans, they think of themselves as "bark skinned White folks" and as such refuse to fight for the betterment of the community. They think only for themselves. Dent brings up the case of a Federal judge in New Orleans who was caught with a bribe.
- title
- West Point, Mississippi: John Buffington Interviewee [Part 1]
- Subject
- African Americans, Business people, Civil rights, Economics, Race relations
- Date created ms
- 1991-10-12, 1991-10-12
- Name
- Buffington, John
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews John Buffington in West Point, Mississippi. Dent asks if the co-op still exists and Buffington says it is completely gone by the time of the interview. Buffington says there were a number of co-ops in the area with various products. The catfish co-op is one of the only ones still functioning. Buffington talks about Thibodaux community and the high expectations he has for its future. He talks about collective Black consciousness across the US; why it might exist and why it might not. He says the 1990s is a return to a more individualistic life style. They discuss specific Black communities across the US. Buffington said the community in West Point has more confidence than most. They had "style" and "walked with their head higher." They did not scatter when the police came. In general, they seemed more "motivated" and could organize well. Buffington talks about the resources and projects that came out of West Point. They discuss various Mary Holms graduates. Buffington talks about the strength of the Aberdeen community. He believes the Tupelo community is not as strong and united. He says Columbus, Alabama, was controlled by the Klan and the people there were generally beat down. He says it was a "nasty town" where children were inducted into the Klan at a young age and Blacks were arrested for vagrancy on a regular basis. They discuss the reluctance of Black mothers to go to the local Black hospital to give birth. They tended to use midwifes and the mortality rate was rather high. They had a Black doctor but not a Black lawyer.
- title
- Alabama - Selma: Henry "Hank" Sanders Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Civil rights demonstrations, Economics, Education, Race relations
- Date created ms
- 1991-08-09, 1991-08-09
- Name
- Sanders, Henry
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Henry "Hank" Sanders in Selma, Alabama. He talks about Black political strength in the Black Belt, and Black representation in politics. Although well-represented in some areas, there are few Black probate judges, which is the highest office. Political power is limited by economic power. In order to make real developmental progress, economic power is needed. Controlling communication helps control the economic situation. Green County is politically the strongest, and Dallas County economically. Selma holds a symbolic role in the region.
- title
- Alabama - Selma: Rose Sanders Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Art, Civil rights, Civil rights demonstrations, Education, Law & legal affairs, Theaters
- Date created ms
- 1991-08-08, 1991-08-08
- Name
- Sanders, Rose
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Rose Sanders in Selma, Alabama. She talks about her family background. Her mother's family is from Wilcox County and her father's family is from Mobile, Alabama. They traveled throughout the southeast due to her father's work as a Methodist minister. She was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. They lived there and Kentucky, and she graduated from high school in Greeneville, Tennessee. She attended went on to university while her parents moved to Dynamite Hill in Birmingham, Alabama. She spent her first summer there in 1962, amid the violence. A young Black man was killed on her street and Reverend Shuttlesworth was there. Her parents' home was threatened with violence. They discuss a book on the subject, part of which she wrote. She was only in Birmingham that summer. She spent the rest of her time in Harlem, where she became involved in the arts. She moved without knowing anyone. A friend introduced her to the Adair family from North Carolina she did not know, and they took her in. She started working with children on the block, some of whom she is still in touch with, and formed a youth theater. Reverend Adair (whom she calls "Rev") was able to find her a job in youth theater. She graduated from Harvard Law School, graduating in 1969. She spent a year in New York working for National Welfare Rights and married Hank Sanders. They then spent a year in Africa before returning to Alabama. They lived in Ibadan, Nigeria and studied the Africanization of universities there following independence, discovering that there had been no Africanization. They returned with an interest in teaching at Black colleges. They came to Huntsville, Alabama, where she worked with Madison County Legal Aid Society. She and Hank took the bar exam separately, knowing they were not likely to both pass if they took it together due to the rampant racism of the Bar. Hank moved to Selma in 1971, where he had heard there were very few Black lawyers. She did not want to move there, but they decided they would stay for five years and then she could choose where they lived next. They became immediately involved in the community and stayed. They organized the Black Belt Arts and Cultural Center. They discuss Black Fire in Birmingham, who had both a dance and theater group. They were run by Vera Marcus. Black Belt did not receive any funding at the time, which is how they have managed to survive into the present, unlike other arts groups of the era. She points to Mayor Joe Smitherman as the "main issue" Selma has to deal with now. She attends school board meetings as a watchdog. She has sued the board, and plans to just listen and not speak at the meeting tonight. Education is a critical issue in the area. They have produced a generation of Black children with no skills or confidence. Sanders was one of the organizers of the 21st Century youth leadership program. She talks about the program, its organizers and funding. They talk about mutual acquaintance Jerome Smith who is active in the program. She also runs a musical theater group called Children of Selma. She also runs an adult group who will be putting on her new play about internalized racism and self-hate. Dent compares it to his play Ritual Murder. Sanders is looking for a creative person to help develop the group. She is hoping to leave Selma in the future. She feels her children have had to deal with negativity rooted in community opposition to Sanders and her husband. Files have been charged against her for her opposition to illegal activities within the school board. She talks about trying to meet with Mayor Smitherman, but being denied access to his office. A camera man taped the resulting altercation. The cameraman has since died. Sanders was arrested.
- title
- Georgia - Albany: Patricia J. Perry Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights demonstration, Civil rights, Land tenure, Voting, Industry, Economics
- Date created ms
- 1991-07-31, 1991-07-31
- Name
- Perry, Patricia J.
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Patricia J. Perry in on a drive from Albany through Baker County, Georgia. She talks about middle class people sending their children away for their education. The people who have had the most difficult time in the area have often been the ones who have been able to "escape" and be successful elsewhere. She discusses her family roots in Baker County. She did not participate in the Albany Movement because she lived in the country, at first. She then became involved as a student leader and represented the youth of Baker County. Her parents were in favor of the demonstrations, but repercussions of the activities affected them negatively. Her mother worked as a maid in Albany, and her employer was hit by a stone at a protest. Newton, Georgia has a reputation for violence against African Americans. She suggests Dent speak to Earl Jones about what went on there. He was responsible for her family losing most of their land. She has always been interested in land and the power it provides. It seems to have been a concerted effort to take land away from the Black community. She points out First Bethesda Baptist Church, which her family attended. Dent recalls performing in the area with the Free Southern Theater in 1967. Perry was seventeen at the time and attended. Charles Sherrod and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee [SNCC] helped organize Baker County; his wife Shirley is from the area. [As they enter Baker County, the rain stops.] They pass pines and live oaks. Perry talks about a store, mobile home park, and supper club she developed in the area before she left in the late 1980s, and points out the location. They are at the location of the former Pineland Plantation. She discusses the other plantations in the area. She describes the house she grew up in. She had no privacy and shared beds with cousins. She points out Colquitt Road and the location where her family land, which has now been lost, started. She talks about the process of raising the money to keep as much of the land as possible. A distant cousin had been located up North who wanted to sell the land, and they did their best to buy her out. Pineland Plantation had wanted the land for years. Her family was able to save ninety acres of the original six hundred. Perry was the only family member to lose money over the deal, and lost about $25,000. She points out the homes of relatives who still live on the land, which is surrounded by the Pineland Plantation. She talks about a family friend who tried to vote in the late 1950s and had his house bombed. Her family had not been voting, but now they are very active voters. They discuss Juanita Cribb. Perry points out plantations. They enter Dougherty County. They discuss Americus, Georgia, which is a small Black community. She points out another church she attended as a child, which was Baptist. Her children attended Catholic Schools: St. Theresa in Georgia and St. Michael in California. The New Communities farm used to be nearby. Many people from the rural area migrated to Albany for work in factories. Perry opened the mobile home park to supply housing for the workers, but the Firestone plant closed around the same time and the venture was ultimately unsuccessful. They discuss the importance of Wednesday night bible study to the community. People also love to eat heavy food at gatherings, which was an adjustment for Perry when she returned from California and made quiche for a group
- title
- Alabama - Eutaw: Eutaw Folk Festival
- Subject
- African Americans, Art, Folk music festivals, Jazz, Music, Performances
- Date created ms
- 1991-08-24, 1991-08-24
- Name
- Eutaw Folk Festival
- Abstract
- Tom Dent records performances at the Eutaw Folk Festival in Eutaw, Alabama. He talks to people in the audience about the festival, and about the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
- title
- Alabama - Selma: Alvin Benn Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Civil rights demonstration, Education, Race relations, Segregation, Integration
- Date created ms
- 1991-09-10, 1991-09-10
- Name
- Benn, Alvin
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Alvin Benn in Selma, Alabama. He is bureau manager at the Montgomery Advertiser in Selma. They talk about whether or not there can be an effective coalition between Black and White populations and the Black community gains equity. Benn points to the case of Marion Alabama in Perry County, where the city school system was incorporated into a county-wide system to force integration. Marion Academy, which is almost completely White, was created in response. They discuss the possibility of a Black politician winning a political office and what it will mean for the community. Benn says Black and White communities in Selma get along well and mix socially. He uses the return of the National Guard unit as an example. Benn talks about former school Superintendent Norward Roussell's contract not being renewed by the School Board. He thinks Roussell was unsuccessful not only because he was Black, but also because he had an abrasive personality and came from outside the community. He would have gotten farther with more diplomacy. Benn talks about his children's experiences going through school in Selma, where they were put in level one and level two. Henry Sanders and others have pointed out that the level system is used to segregate Black and White students within integrated schools. Benn tells the story of Terri Sewell, who is at Harvard Law School on a Marshall Scholarship. She is a product of the public school system and received parental support. He sees parental support as instrumental to education. Dent points out that if encouragement does not come from family, it may have to come from someone within the school system. Benn cannot confirm that a discriminatory level system ever existed and suggests he talk with Superintendent James Carter. Dent tells Benn about an interview he performed in Charleston with a young Black man who felt that he would never have attended Notre Dame if it had not been for a White teacher who took an interest in him and suggested he take certain classes and apply there. Dent aske Benn about the "Jeff Davis crowd" in Selma. Benn says, "they love me and they hate me." He talks about covering the Black Belt for the Montgomery Advertiser, the birth of the Alabama New South Coalition, and their effectiveness. They have built a political and social empire. The White community's criticism is that they are using their political base to enrich themselves. He uses Rose Sanders' involvement in Greentrack as an example. He sees Dallas County as the strongest point of the Black Belt, based solely on the population numbers. The political power base has shifted from White to Black. They discuss Congressional redistricting. Benn talks about the division between Black and White that still exists in Selma. Public schools that are primarily Black are severely underfunded. Benn thinks that in recent years, the power structure has recognized that Selma's role in the civil rights movement could be monetized, which has brought them around slowly to its value. Conflict occurred when they tried to plan the twenty-fifth commemoration of the Selma to Montgomery march. A biracial group called One Selma has been formed to address mutual concerns. Dent describes how the City of Greensboro has effectively managed the civil rights commemoration there. There are plans to turn the path of the Selma to Montgomery march into a National Historic Trail. The region's problems continue to stem from the power struggle between the Black and White communities. Change will be slow.
- title
- South Carolina - Mount Pleasant: Henrietta Snype Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Basket making, Business people, Civil rights
- Date created ms
- 1991-05-15, 1991-05-15
- Name
- Snype, Henrietta
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Henrietta Snype in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Snype talks about the basketry tradition and its connection to Mount Pleasant and Boone Hall Plantation. Her great-grandmother lived on the plantation. The tradition likely originated in West Africa, where a similar tradition exists. The tradition is passed down through families. Different types of baskets were used on the plantation for various purposes, including cleaning rice and carrying a Bible. Mount Pleasant is the only area in South Carolina where baskets are made. Snype remembers her family selling baskets her whole life, as far back as her great-grandfather who used to take them to the market in Charleston. She completes an average ten-inch bread basket in about seven or eight hours, which cost about $45 or $50 presently. She talks about the community of Mount Pleasant. There is a large black community, but not much of a job market. There are not as many basket makers as there used to be and property is sold and basket makers are moved out. Some sell in Charleston. Very few travel and talk about the history of the basket as she does. She says there is not much black political activity in Mount Pleasant, although there is a great need for it. There are some black owned businesses. She describes the work she is doing to repair a basket that was sent to her in the mail. She uses palmetto. Bulrush has been used in basketry for the last ten or fifteen years. Sweet grass and long leaf pine needles are also used. She talks about where the materials grow. Main would usually collect raw material and women would make the baskets. Her husband's mother sold flowers, but were not basket makers until later. Basket making was traditionally done in the 6 Mile area of Mount Pleasant, and in a place called Hamlin. She does workshops in schools from January to April, in hopes of carrying on the tradition. She does not think the tradition will die out. They sell a lot of baskets during festivals like Spoleto and the Mojo Arts Festival. She talks about her desire to visit Africa. She plans to stay in Mount Pleasant. She recently participated at a basket festival in Branson, but was not impressed.
- title
- South Carolina - Charleston: Mike Vanderhorst Interviewee
- Subject
- African Americans, Civil rights, Business people, Economics
- Date created ms
- 1991-06-07, 1991-06-07
- Name
- Vanderhorst, Mike
- Abstract
- Tom Dent interviews Mike Vanderhorst in Charleston, South Carolina. His people were descendants of Dutch merchant shippers in Charleston. His family is from Charleston. He was living and working in Washington D.C., but decided to return to his family's home in Charleston. He was raised all over in a military family. His family settled in New Jersey. He decided to attend North Carolina Central University from 1974-1978 because it was the nearest black school with a Navy ROTC. He joined the Navy afterwards. He found that corporate America was not for him. He had bought a house in Washington D.C. and was able to sell his house at a profit and move to South Carolina, get married, and open a business. Most of his customers are older white women in Charleston who are happy with the shipping business. He talks about the needs he has due to the growth of his business. He loves Charleston, but he sees holdovers from the slavery era. He sees this as a new era. There is a need for black leadership. He talks about the power in collectiveness. He thinks the South has a lot of potential. Coming home is important to family. Black contributions to the market are exploited. They need to produce for themselves. Dent notes that his generation has a different view. They were taught that they were in a crisis. Vanderhorst does not see urgency in the reaction to the crisis these days, but he still believes in community. He talks about business he has done recently with a general. He also rents mailboxes that are suite numbers, not P.O. boxes. He talks about why he went into this business, inspired by his love of technology. Dent suggests that he may want to expand in New Orleans. Vanderhorst talks about the black community as loyal consumers. They have power as conscious consumers. It takes a period of sacrifice to build a business, but he thinks they are going to make it. He talks about meeting his wife.
Pages
Islandora Collection Search
Contact the Louisiana Digital Library
Permissions/rights/reproduction and information requests:
The Louisiana Digital Library (LDL) is composed of collections from many different institutions. Permission to publish and acquire images or requests for more information about materials that you find in the LDL should be directed to the institution that contributed the item to the LDL. To find the contact who can help you, find the field called "Contact Information" next to the image of interest to you. The Louisiana Digital Library is a service provider only and has no authority to grant permission to publish or supply high-resolution images.
- Louisiana State Museum: lsm@crt.state.la.us
- Louisiana State University: diglib@lsu.edu
- Louisiana State University Shreveport: libarchives@lsus.edu
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center: digitalarchives@lsuhsc.edu
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport: http://lib.sh.lsuhsc.edu/
- Louisiana Tech University: specialcollections@latech.edu
- Loyola University New Orleans: archives@loyno.edu
- McNeese State University: archivesdept@mcneese.edu
- Nicholls State University: http://nicholls.libguides.com/archives
- Northwestern State University of Louisiana: wernet@nsula.edu
- Southern University: archives@subr.edu
- State Library of Louisiana: lacoll@state.lib.la.us
- The Historic New Orleans Collection: louisquery@hnoc.org
- Tulane University: digitallibrary@tulane.edu
- University of Louisiana Lafayette: archives@louisiana.edu
- University of Louisiana Monroe: http://ulm.edu/library/archives/
- University of New Orleans: libspec@uno.edu
- Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park: curator@bayouvermiliondistrict.org
Technical assistant/site support
The Louisiana Digital Library platform has been developed by LSU Libraries on behalf of the Louisiana Digital Consortium. It runs on the Islandora open-source digital repository software.
LSU Libraries' Technology Initiatives: lsudiglib@lsu.edu.
Thanks for your interest in the Louisiana Digital Library.
About the Louisiana Digital Library (LDL)
The Louisiana Digital Library (LDL) is the front door to Louisiana's digital cultural heritage. Members include public libraries, academic libraries, museums, and archives from arcross the state.
Currently, there are 25 participating institutions in the LDL. Each institution contributes the digital items and the descriptive text for their collections.
- Calcasieu Parish Public Library
- Delgado Community College
- East Baton Rouge Parish Library
- Law Library of Louisiana
- Louisiana State Archives
- Louisiana State Museum
- Louisiana State University
- Louisiana State University at Alexandria
- Louisiana State University at Shreveport
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
- Louisiana Tech University
- Loyola University New Orleans
- McNeese State University
- Nicholls State University
- Northwestern State University
- Southern University
- State Library Of Louisiana
- The Historic New Orleans Collection
- Tulane University
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- University of Louisiana at Monroe
- University of New Orleans
- Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park
- Webster Parish Library
The LDL is built with Islandora, an open source digital library system based on Fedora, Drupal, and Solr.
Information about the Louisiana Digital Consortium can be found here: http://louisianadigitalconsortium.org