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Oral History Interview with Hylan Lewis, January 13, 1991. Interview A-0361. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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  • Abstract
    Sociologist Hylan Lewis describes his experiences with race in the American South in the period before the civil rights movement gained momentum. Lewis witnessed an energized but still uncertain post-World War II African American community that was beginning to discuss how best to fight for equality. At the same time, white southern politicians were devising new strategies of resistance. This interview offers a broad comment on an important and often overlooked moment in civil rights history.
    Excerpts
  • Dubious government protection for a black man in South
  • Economic hardship dulls racism
  • Opportunities for blacks in segregated Alabama
  • WWII brings change
  • After WWII, black people discuss routes to equality
  • White southern politicians use racial code, Communism to attack civil rights
  • Description of Charles Johnson
  • Description of Benjamin Mays
  • Description of Thurgood Marshall
  • Learn More
  • Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
  • Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
  • Subjects
  • Southern States--Race relations
  • African Americans--Civil rights--North Carolina
  • 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.