Oral History Interview with Robert Lee Mangum, November 18, 2003. Interview U-0008. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Robert Lee Mangum offers his relatively measured, diplomatically delivered take on events in Robeson County, North Carolina, in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. While Mangum sometimes seems to choose his words carefully, he clearly feels passionately about the causes he participated in over decades of activism motivated by his Christian faith: opposing double voting, registering voters, and working against poverty. He registers a number of successes in this interview, but remains committed to continuing his fight against the effects of racism as well as other social problems such as drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and poverty.
Excerpts
Community group works to register voters
Pursuing legal remedies for discrimination
Frustration leads to successful march
Christianity motivates social action
Supporting school merger
Mission accomplished, an activist moves on
Progressive spirit in Prospect community
Tuscaroras break off from Lumbees
Tuscaroras break off from Lumbees
Successful activism unifies different racial groups
Oppressed can become oppressors when they gain power
Need for churches to act in their communities
Need for churches to act in their communities
Fear of reprisals for activism
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Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Subjects
North Carolina--Race relations--20th century
Robeson County (N.C.)--Race relations
Robeson County (N.C.)--Social conditions
Civil rights--North Carolina
Methodist Church--Clergy--North Carolina
Political activists--North Carolina
Civil rights movements--North Carolina--History--20th century
Civil rights movements--North Carolina--Robeson County
Indians of North America--North Carolina--Robeson County
Indians of North America--Civil rights--North Carolina--History--20th century
Robeson County (N.C.)--History--20th century
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