Documenting the American South Logo
Collections >> Oral Histories of the American South >> Document Menu
Oral History Interview with John Love, February 17, 1999. Interview K-0172. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
Audio with Transcript
  • Listen Online with Text Transcript (Requires QuickTime and JavaScript)
  • Transcript Only (31 p.)
  • HTML file
  • XML/TEI source file
  • Download Complete Audio File (MP3 format / ca. 141 MB, 01:17:09)
  • MP3
  • Abstract
    The dynamic John W. Love Jr. offers his thoughts on the history and culture of West Charlotte High School. Integration was no longer a significant issue by the time Love entered high school—he was in third grade when the process began—but Love, who is an African American, remembers the integration process and offers his thoughts on its long-term effects. Love, an actor, speaks with a great deal of élan about the remarkable cultural diversity of West Charlotte, but also the disagreements created by that diversity. Despite some problems, Love left West Charlotte with a strong sense of belonging.
    Excerpts
  • Looking forward to attending West Charlotte
  • "Fear of the unknown" during school integration
  • No real risk of closing West Charlotte during integration
  • West Charlotte's many ways of maintaining racial balance
  • Culture clashes at integrated school
  • Integration damages black traditions at West Charlotte
  • Diversity at West Charlotte
  • Community watches West Charlotte closely
  • Love at West Charlotte High School
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Resources for Educators
  • Race in Charlotte Schools Learning Object
  • Subjects
  • School integration--North Carolina--Charlotte
  • West Charlotte High School (N.C.)
  • Charlotte (N.C.)--Race relations
  • Love, John W., Jr.
  • The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts held by the Southern Historical Collection.

    Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.