Alphonso Alexander Barron was born in Mt. Olive, Mississippi, in 1905. He talks about what he considers the "good old days," the years from his childhood through the early years of his marriage. He discusses family, his education, his church life, his marriage, his career as an educator, and his experiences living in Jackson, Mississippi.
John Woodrow Wilson was a famous painter known for his creative portraits and stylistic approach to social justice. "Black Despair" shows a Black man in a state of anguish with his arms crossed over his head, facing downward, loooking into his lap, resting his body on a table or desk. His right fist sits above his head, and he is wearing a military uniform.
John Woodrow Wilson was a famous painter known for his creative portraits and stylistic approach to social justice. "Black Despair" shows a Black man in a state of anguish with his arms crossed over his head, facing downward, loooking into his lap, resting his body on a table or desk. His right fist sits above his head, and he is wearing a military uniform.
Brown Scott was born in 1912 and came to Jackson in 1951. He recalls the "Good Old Days" as a comparison between the past and present: they were good in the sense that people enjoyed them at the time, but what is good now is quite different. He discusses racial issues he faced in Jackson and being in Europe in the Army for World War II.
Mr. Myers was the owner of Myers Coffee Company on Farish Street. He talks about his business as well as other businesses in the district and breaks down the different sections of the neighborhood.
Clarence Hall Jr. was a board member for the initial Head Start programs in Sharkey and Issaquena Counties (Mississippi) in 1965. He talks about joining the Army and being in England for 3 years during World War II. He says that the treatment he experienced with racism after coming home led to his work in the community and with Head Start.
Dr. David White was the first Black optometrist in the state of Mississippi when he moved onto Farish Street in 1951. He talks about how his first White customers came during the Civil Rights Movement as there was an active meeting place for activists above his business.
Earnest Crawford moved to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1940 to work for the Coca-Cola company and retired from there in 1965. Mr. Crawford talks about his experience sharecropping and his time spent as an airplane mechanic instructor during World War II. Only a biography, a summary, and an index are included.
Edward Lee moved to the Farish Street District in 1925 and went on to own businesses in the district including The Crystal Palace restaurant and lounge and the Edward Lee Hotel. Mr. Lee talks about his experiences with owning businesses in the district and gives advice to future Black business owners. Transcript is edited with handwritten notes.
Mark Hewitt was an artist from Boston, MA. "Fort Devens" is a black-and-white drawing of three Black soldiers at a U.S. Army Reserves base in Massachusetts. In 1945, Fort Devens was a protest site for the treatment of the Black Women's Army Corps.
Ms. Weakley was born in the Farish Street District in the 1920’s after her parents moved there following World War I. She talks about her childhood in the district and recounts what life was like for people there. She discusses some of the businesses, including doctors and lawyers. She also talks about her education at the Smith Robertson School.
A newspaper article from the Clarion Ledger (Jackson, Mississippi) providing historical context to the Clinton Project Oral History Collection. The article pinpoints the location of the former POW camp and talks about the treatment of prisoners there.
Ray Bozell Converse was born in Isabel, Oklahoma, in 1912. His job with the Department of Agriculture brought him to Jackson in 1942 and 1955. He discusses opening a produce business and the effect of the Great Depression on his family. He also talks about living in Gulfport, Mississippi, during World War II. The transcript is incomplete.
William H. Johnson was a painter from Florence, SC. Red Cross Knitting Center depicts seven Black women in lab coats and aprons. The women are knitting in support of the Red Cross' relief efforts. The Red Cross began knitting campaigns in 1917 during World War I.
Mark Hewitt was an artist from Boston, MA. Spirit of 366th depicts a portrait of a young Black man from the 366th infantry in an Army uniform. The soldier looks into the distance of a shining light while dark-hued clouds of brown, black, and purple gather overhead.
A newspaper article from the Clarion Ledger (Jackson, Mississippi) providing historical context to the Clinton Project Oral History Collection. The article includes stories from Clinton, Mississippi, residents telling their stories about the World War II POW camp in the town.
