Oral History

I wrote my oral history report about my uncle-in–law because he experienced a lot growing up during the 1950’s and 60’s. He has always been a very strong-minded, yet closed individual so I thought I would try to figure out the cause of that. The following is my interview with him:

What trials did you go through growing up during the 50’s and 60’s?

We went through so many race issues with the whites, and dealt with unbelievable poverty. We couldn’t go to the same hospital as the whites, or even vote! We had to live in certain parts of the city. I was born in Chicago, IL, Westside in the projects. Anytime you left your section [neighborhood] you were fighting other races. I seen Black Panther riots right outside of my window, and people were getting hit in the head with bricks and stabbed. Most people were born in the same projects and they never left. It was a cycle until they tore them down.

How did that make you feel?

It gave me an attitude in life; made me dislike a lot of people and it also made me loose all respect for my country.

Where you ever harassed?

Oh yeah! [Said with vigor] As a matter of fact they sent me to jail for 20 years because I was accused of trying to kill an off duty white policeman. He was an alcoholic, beat his wife and a lot of other things, but none of these evidences were allowed in court.

Why were you arrested?

I got pulled over for no reason, and we started arguing back and forth, he said get on the ground nig*** [expletive] you don’t run anything. It was cold and snow all over the ground, so I refused. That’s when they proceeded to kick and beat me with clubs to get me on the ground. After all of this, I was the one charged with assault. I respect people that respect me, but I can never have love for none of them because of what happened to me.

How does it feel to see the changes this country has made?

It makes me feel people made changes. I mean lots of things had to change in order for a black man to be running the country [Laughing]. I haven’t seen changes in policies because if you look at it, the older white republicans are still trying to cut down his [President Obama] proposals. We need to get them out of there, and let the younger generation take over; get a fresh outlook on life!