Oral History Interview with Elizabeth Brown, June 17, 2005. Interview U-0019. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Elizabeth Brown, a white teacher who taught at John Carroll High School in Birmingham, Alabama, describes desegregation and its legacies in her city. While Brooks offers few details of the desegregation process, and remembers the racism of some white students, she recalls a relatively smooth transition at her high school. Despite the success of desegregation, she worries that prejudice endures, whether in the form of classism, sexism, or homophobia.
Excerpts
Regional differences in opinion on desegregation
White students resist desegregation and the politicians who oversee it
Black athletes ease desegregation
Segregation damages southern economies
Reflections on the benefits of diversity
Birmingham's ethnic diversity eases integration
Benefit of an integrated environment
Class discrimination among black students
Segregation persists, but may be eroding
Segregation is "just dumb"
Fading memory of segregation
Being a woman helps one understand discrimination
Learn More
Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Subjects
School integration--Alabama
Teachers--Alabama--Birmingham.
Catholic schools--Alabama--Birmingham.
Catholic schools--Alabama--History--20th century.
Civil rights movements.
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.