Documenting the American South Logo
Collections >> Oral Histories of the American South >> Document Menu
Oral History Interview with Richard Hicks, February 1, 1991. Interview M-0023. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
Audio with Transcript
  • Listen Online with Text Transcript (Requires QuickTime and JavaScript)
  • Transcript Only (13 p.)
  • HTML file
  • XML/TEI source file
  • Download Complete Audio File (MP3 format / ca. 83.9 MB, 00:45:50)
  • MP3
  • Abstract
    Richard Hicks, the principal of Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina, at the time of the interview, describes his management style, his approach to hiring and firing, his attention to discipline, and other details of his position. In 1990, Hillside High School had a 100% black student body, and 70% of its teachers were black. Hicks does not believe that the school's racial composition has contributed to its success, though, and despite the uniqueness of his position, he does not speak a great deal about race or the legacy of desegregation. Researchers interested in these subjects will find some brief excerpts in which Hicks denies the influence of desegregation on his own career (although he concedes that black candidates for principal positions need to have unique qualities to be considered) and comments on the relationship between black students and black teachers. Topics not covered in this interview are resegregation and the effects of white flight.
    Excerpts
  • White flight makes a high school all black
  • Teacher's race does not matter
  • Desegregation does not affect principalship
  • Additional pressure on black principals
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Subjects
  • African American high school principals--North Carolina
  • 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.