Greensboro Public Library Oral History Program
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Oral history interview with A. Knighton Stanley by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a January 26, 1982, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with A. Knighton Stanley, Stanley primarily describes the role of specific leaders in the Greensboro CORE chapter, his own role in planning strategy, and specific demonstrations at the S&W Cafeteria, McDonald's, and theatres. He describes the role of local college students, faculty, and presidents in the movement, as well as Capt. William Jackson, specific political figures, and the black professional community. He also describes the activities and contributions of several committees and organizations to desegregation negotiations.
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Oral history interview with A. Knighton Stanley by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an oral history interview conducted circa 1982 by Eugene Pfaff with A. Knighton Stanley, Stanley primarily describes the activities of the Greensboro CORE chapter in 1963 and his role in planning strategy, especially methods to utilize the press. He discusses the role of local college students, faculty, and presidents in CORE and the movement, as well as national CORE leaders, specific local political figures and businessmen, and several committees and organizations.
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Oral history interview with Alvin Thomas by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a August 12, 1982, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Alvin Thomas, Thomas provides insight into the workings of the local CORE chapter and details of the group's activities. He discusses the leaders, both local and national, that were involved with the demonstrations, including Jesse Jackson, James Farmer, and Bill Thomas.
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Oral history interview with Arnold Schiffman Sr. by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an April 11, 1979, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Arnold Schiffman Sr., Schiffman compares details of the sit-ins of 1960 with the demonstrations of 1963 in Greensboro. Specific topics include his participation with and the activities of the mayor's committee in 1960 and the Human Relations Committee in 1963, the role of the media and boycotts, and the long-term effects of the downtown demonstrations.
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Oral history interview with B. Elton Cox by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a May 15, 1982, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with B. Elton Cox, Cox primarily discusses the history and activities of CORE and his participation in the organization; specific topics include the original Freedom Ride, Freedom Highways Project, demonstration tactics, and the Greensboro chapter. Also of interest are Cox's specific efforts, including his first demonstration in high school, his arrest in Louisiana, a noted speech, his refusal to pay taxes, and meeting with the president of McDonald's. Cox also provides his assessment of other civil rights organizations, the work of many specific community leaders, and the role of North Carolina in the movement.
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Oral history interview with Boyd Morris by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an oral history interview conducted circa 1980 by Eugene Pfaff with Boyd Morris, Morris primarily describes his work as mayor, especially his efforts to build the coliseum and the related controversies. He discusses his response to protestors at his Mayfair Cafeteria, their effect on his business, and his reasons for not desegregating. He describes meetings held with other business owners, with city officials, and with black community leaders.
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Oral history interview with Carson Bain by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a June 30, 1977, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Carson Bain, Bain primarily discusses political and social issues in Greensboro, including bond issues, construction and renovation of the coliseum, ward vs. at-large governance, housing and education for the impoverished, and city redevelopment. He also discusses Greensboro during the Depression and New Deal, along with his early business career, involvement in local civic affairs and organizations such as the Jaycees, and tenure as mayor.
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Oral history interview with Cecil Bishop by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a February 5, 1985, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Cecil Bishop, Bishop discusses his impressions of Greensboro, his work with students and local organizations, and the communication between the black and white communities. Other topics include the 1963 march in the Jefferson Square, and the incidents in 1969 at Dudley High School and North Carolina A&T State University. He also provides his reaction to Civilities and Civil Rights and History of CORE: A Study in the Civil Rights Movement.
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Oral history interview with Charles Davis by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a June 19, 1983, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Charles Davis, Davis discusses his experience as a staff member of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and describes the organization's mission, purpose, and work during the civil rights movement in Greensboro, and especially concerning school desegregation. He also mentions the role of and his participation in other organizations including the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Greensboro Citizens Association, and Coordinating Committee.
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Oral history interview with Charles O. Bess by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a January 20, 1984, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Charles O. Bess, Bess discusses the events that took place at Greensboro Woolworth's during the first week of the sit-ins in February, 1960. His recollections include the treatment of the black employees by management, strategies and treatment of sit-in participants, the Feb. 6 bomb threat, and the day the lunch counter was desegregated.
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Oral history interview with Clarence Malone by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an oral history interview conducted circa 1980 by Eugene Pfaff with Clarence Malone, Malone primarily describes how he came to be involved with the trials of Greensboro civil rights demonstrators in 1963, his association with other civil rights lawyers including Kenneth Lee and Floyd McKissick, and the legal details, strategies, and issues surrounding the cases. He also describes his involvement with similar cases in Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh.
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Oral history interview with Clarence Malone by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an oral history interview conducted circa 1980 by Eugene Pfaff with Clarence Malone, Malone primarily describes his involvement with the trials of Greensboro and Chapel Hill civil rights demonstrators in 1963 and 1964. He explains specific charges, strategies, and participants, including other attorneys, judges, prosecutors, and city officials. Malone also discusses his opinion on the role of North Carolina demonstrations and court cases in ending segregation and influencing national legislation.
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Oral history interview with Clyde Marsh by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an April 13, 1979, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Clyde Marsh, Marsh discusses the behavior of demonstrators and counter-demonstrators at S&W Cafteria in 1963, the May, 1969, riot at NC A&T, and the instructions to and actions of fire officials during both. He also discusses the role of Jesse Jackson, Capt. William Jackson and other police officers, the integration of the fire service, and the progress of race relations in Greensboro.
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Oral history interview with Dargan Frierson by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an oral history interview conducted circa 1980 by Eugene Pfaff with Dargan Frierson, Frierson discusses FBI investigation into the 1969 incident at North Carolina A&T and the death of Willie Grimes. He also provides his opinions of the FBI under the J. Edgar Hoover's directorship.
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Oral history interview with David Schenck Jr. by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a May 26, 1981, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with David Schenck Jr., Schenck describes his father's role as mayor of Greensboro in ending desegregation demonstrations in 1963 and how it affected his family. Schenck reads from some of his father's correspondence, including hate mail, and discusses the mayor's relationship with North Carolina governor Terry Sanford. The younger Schenck's views on William Chafe's Civilities and Civil Rights are also discussed.
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Oral history interview with Elizabeth Laizner by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a June 19, 1979, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Elizabeth Laizner, Laizner provides details concerning formation of CORE, including the primary figures involved and their roles. She describes in detail several of the major marches, pickets, and various other events that occurred, including those that led to her arrest. She also explains the planning, training, and strategies it took to prepare for demonstrations and marches.
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Oral history interview with Evander Gilmer by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a June 10, 1982, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Evander Gilmer, Gilmer discusses growing up in segregated Greensboro and his participation in civil rights activities as a student at NC A&T in 1962 and 1963. He explains the impetus for resuming demonstrations in Greensboro, the leaders involved, the role and activities of CORE, the lack of support from the adult black community, and their later transition to participation. He also describes his duties as CORE treasurer, his arrests, and his experience during the mass incarceration at the polio hospital.
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Oral history interview with Ezell and Corene Blair by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a February 2, 1977, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Ezell and Corene Blair, The Blairs primarily discuss race relations and desegregation in Greensboro in the 1950s and 1960s. Other topics include their son's activities, the role of specific whites, and the participation of the adult black community, including themselves, in local civil rights demonstrations.
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Oral history interview with Floyd McKissick by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of an August 9, 1982, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Floyd McKissick, McKissick discusses the organization of CORE chapters in North Carolina, its national and regional leaders, and his activities as a member of CORE and other civil rights organizations. He discusses North Carolina efforts such as Freedom Highways and the cafeteria demonstrations in Greensboro, legal battles in Chapel Hill, labor organizing at Duke University, and efforts in Louisiana and nationwide. He also discusses his vision for CORE as its national director from 1966 to 1968, and his definition of "black power."
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Oral history interview with Frances Lewis by Eugene Pfaff
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In this transcript of a January 17, 1981, oral history interview conducted by Eugene Pfaff with Frances Lewis, Lewis discusses her participation in the civil rights movement in Greensboro, including the sit-ins of 1960, demonstrations in 1962 and 1963, the sit-in in the square, her incaration in the old polio hospital, and her membership in CORE. She also describes her relationship with and opinion concerning the Greensboro Four, Bill Thomas, Knighton Stanley, and other movement and black community leaders.
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