African American oral history project

Collection

Identifier: ACCN 2840

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The African American oral history project (1971-1973) contains interviews with people who resided in Utah during the Depression and World War II era. Those interviewed discuss their experience being African American in Utah during this time. Items discussed include difficulty finding housing and jobs as well as discrimination in public areas and from neighbors.

Dates

1971-1973

Creator

University of Utah. American West Center (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Historical Note

The African American oral history project (1971-1973) focuses on the experiences of African Americans living in Utah during the Depression and the World War II era. Those interviewed either grew up in Utah or moved to the state in their young adulthood. Those interviewed include people from all walks of life: from Darius Gray who runs a group supporting the inclusion of African Americans in the LDS Church, to people like Alberta Henry and Carl Mason who are working with the educational system to make education more successful for African American students. The interviewer addresses questions such as whether or not the KKK was active in Utah at the time, whether or not schooling was segregated, the role of the NAACP, discrimination encountered in public places, race relations within the LDS Church, and the difficulty many experienced getting housing and jobs. Key differences between discrimination in Utah versus the South is also discussed. One of the key issues underlying the interviews is the question of whether or not Utah, and society in general, has become less racist over the years and if there are now more opportunities open to African Americans. The collection explores racism in Utah, both institutionalized and social.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

The interviews are arranged alphabetically by last name.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-2 were donated by the American West Center in the 1980s (1 linear feet).

Related Materials

This collection forms part of the Ethnic Relations in Utah Oral History Project.

See also the interviews with African Americans in Utah collection (MS 0453) located in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.