Oral History Interview with Harvey E. Beech, September 25, 1996. Interview J-0075. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Harvey E. Beech was born in Kinston, North Carolina, in 1923, the youngest of five children. Although Beech's father could not read or write, he saved his money and opened barbershops throughout the Kinston community. His business acumen afforded most of his children the opportunity to attend college. His youngest son, Harvey, however, was sent to Harris Barber College in Raleigh, North Carolina, since his older siblings' education had taken its toll on their father's bank account. Harvey's academic drive and passion for education led him to pursue a college degree. He earned enough money to attend Morehouse College, and his self-reliance, independence, and passion for changing social injustices propelled his interest in a legal career. To earn money for law school, he promoted black entertainers and opened a general store. In the early 1950s, Thurgood Marshall asked Beech to join a pending case against the University of North Carolina School of Law. Beech joined the case, along with J. Kenneth Lee. In 1951, Beech and Lee, along with James Lassiter, Floyd McKissick, and James Walker, became the first African American students to enroll at the UNC law school. Beech candidly discusses the psychological impact of desegregating an all-white institution, including his anger at having to give up his swimming pool privileges because of his race. He evaluates the strength of racism in American society, while adamantly arguing that the abandonment of racial discrimination and racial identities would eliminate barriers among all races and ethnicities.
Excerpts
Self-determination and self-reliance in the start of Beech's collegiate career
Jim Crow facilities prompt interest in a legal career
Beech's role in the NAACP case against the UNC law school
Mental effects of segregation
Social challenges faced as one of the first black students at UNC
Emotional memories of the overt racism at UNC during desegregation
Beech's formative practical legal education
Lifelong connection to Kenneth Lee begins at UNC
Evaluation of the O.J. Simpson trial
Support for historically black colleges and universities
Assesment of the black-centered objectives of UNC's Black Student Movement
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Subjects
Family--North Carolina--Social life and customs--20th century
Lawyers--North Carolina--History--20th century
North Carolina--Race relations--20th century
African American lawyers--North Carolina--University of North Carolina (179
Beech, Harvey E.
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