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Oral History Interview with William Culp, February 19, 1999. Interview K-0277. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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  • Abstract
    William Culp Jr. describes his experiences as a white teacher in post-desegregation Charlotte, North Carolina. Culp spent only one semester at West Charlotte High School, but the school left an impression on him. Culp describes a relatively harmonious school where students and teachers were committed to maintaining an aura of respect and cooperation between black and white students, teachers, and administrators. Their efforts appear to have been successful. His experience at West Charlotte, in combination with his upbringing and a stint in the army, left Culp a strong believer in racial diversity and an advocate for interracial cooperation. While optimistic, Culp thinks that progress toward a "color-blind" society is slow.
    Excerpts
  • Gap between whites and blacks
  • Teaching as a path to progress
  • White teacher transformed in majority-black environment
  • Lack of resources at desegregated school
  • Importance of racial diversity
  • Ensuring diversity at West Charlotte
  • Successful interracialism at West Charlotte
  • Mild problems at West Charlotte
  • Role of schools in fostering successful interracialism
  • Making progress away from racism
  • 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
  • Teachers--North Carolina--History--20th century
  • School integration--North Carolina--Charlotte
  • West Charlotte High School (N.C.)
  • Charlotte (N.C.)--Race relations
  • Schools--North Carolina--Charlotte
  • 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.