Oral History Interview with David Richmond by William Chafe
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@ University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Richmond, David
Description
This transcript of a oral history interview conducted by William Chafe circa 1975 with David Richmond primarily documents Richmond's participation in the sit-in movement in Greensboro, North Carolina, during the 1960s. Richmond recalls early influences, including black WWII veterans' complaints, that generation's failure to act, becoming aware of racial inequalities, the impact of being bused out of his neighborhood, and influential teachers. He describes meeting Jibreel Khazan, Frank McCain, and Joseph McNeil and the sit-in movement they started. Topics include Ralph Johns' role, informing Jo Spivey and George Simkins before they went to Woolworth's, researching North Carolina laws, organizing the growing numbers at Woolworth's, participants from the other local colleges, Warmouth Gibbs' response, working with Edward Zane, and community members aiding in students' transportation. Richmond also discuses the resurgence of the sit-in movement in 1963, the role of the Chamber of Commerce, his relationship with Hal Sieber, sensitivity sessions, Lewis Brandon and Nelson Johnson, Willie Grimes' murder, and riots after Martin Luther King's assassination. Other topics include being remembered for the sit-ins, community unity during the sit-ins, the deterioration of the gains made by the civil rights movement, class divisions in the black community, and the difficulties in his personal life caused by his involvement in the movement.
Text
Interviews
Chafe, William H., 1942
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke UniversityIN COPYRIGHT. This item is subject to copyright. Contact the contributing institution for permission to reuse.
