McNeill, D. Monty
Description
From a series of audio recordings with members of Boston's Black community about the busing crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Bill Owens was among the highest ranking African American politicians in Massachusetts, serving as a Democratic state representative (1973-1974), becoming the first African American elected to the state senate, serving from 1975-1982 and 1989-1992. Discussion of great inequities and rigidity of Boston Public Schools prior to the Garrity decision; failure to win Black control over schools due to Mayor Kevin White's desire to maintain all power to himself; organizing against racism in education and undermining of the efforts; possibility of violent confrontations with police and white; pitting poor Black versus poor white; limited impact of desegregation efforts.
Audiocassettes Oral Histories (Document Genres)Sound Recordings
Requests to publish, redistribute, or replicate this material should be addressed to Special Collections and University Archives, UMass Amherst Libraries.Contact host institution for more information.