Oral History Interview with James Atwater, February 28, 2001. Interview K-0201. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
James Atwater discusses life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, from the 1930s to the 1950s. Atwater grew up in Chapel Hill, as did his parents and grandparents. In this interview, he discusses how neighbors in the black community interacted in various social, religious, and academic activities. He also talks about the impact of segregation on this community and on the schools. White supremacy in Chapel Hill was easily maintained by the community's reliance on the University of North Carolina. Atwater's parents worked for UNC, as did many other black residents, so they were directly dependent on white university officials for their finances. Much of his consciousness about segregation in Chapel Hill came from comparing it to places such as Durham, Carrboro, and Philadelphia. He left Chapel Hill in the 1950s.
Excerpts
Atwater's childhood in segregated Chapel Hill
Atwater's parents worked in various positions at UNC
Segregation promoted sense of community among black residents of Chapel Hill
Black North Carolina youth could either attend a black college or an integrated college out of state
Common experiences and family knowledge linked Atwater's father to some Chapel Hill leaders
Atwater interacted with white youth more often before high school
Black and white high schools in Chapel Hill did not interact or share resources
Black community fears closing of black schools after the Brown decision
Atwater found Chapel Hill segregation paternal and relatively easy to navigate
Black domestic servants tended to know more about the white community than white residents knew about them
The black community of Chapel Hill showed high interest in student welfare
A visit to Philadelphia helped Atwater realize how segregation limited his life in Chapel Hill
Atwater sees fewer overt signs of racial prejudice in Chapel Hill
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Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Subjects
African Americans--North Carolina--Chapel Hill
Atwater, James, 1932-
Lincoln High School (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Segregation in education--North Carolina--Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill (N.C.)--Race relations--20th century
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