Elizabeth Brown and Kimberly Hill, conducted by Oral History Interview with Elizabeth Brown, June 17, 2005. Interview U-0019. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).

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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.

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