Skip to main content

Interview with Washington Marrisett, 1984 August 03; 1984 August 17

View
@ William Stanley Hoole Special Collections Library

Marrisett, Washington

Description

In this interview, Washington Marrisett discusses his life in Birmingham from the Depression through the Civil Rights Movement. Marrisett remembers the Depression and the things he did to get by. He discusses the soup wagons in Kelly Ingram Park; the lines were segregated, but everyone ate the same food. He says he sold junk and scrap he would find in the garbage, including aluminum, iron, copper, and rags. He also hoboed for a time, traveling from Detroit to Birmingham. He explains that hoboing was dangerous. He remembers seeing blacks and whites, men and women in the life. Marrisett explains that while he didn't take advantage of Red Cross aid, he did go on welfare. He remembers that the people in the welfare office--even the blacks--made it hard on blacks to their checks. Marrisett also worked on the WPA, cleaning up parks and cutting grass. He says they were paid in something like foodstamps rather than with money. Marrisett also talks about working for the railroad in the twenties and during World War II. He enjoyed the travel. He demonstrates some railroad working calls for the interviewer. Marrisett recalls the rallies that took place during the Civil Rights Movement and speaks kindly of Martin Luther King, Jr.Interviewed by Peggy Hamrick on August 3 and 1984 August 17, 1984.
Type:
Text
Contributors:
Hamrick, Peggy
Rights:
Please contact holding institution for information regarding use and copyright status.
View Original At:

Record Contributed By

William Stanley Hoole Special Collections Library

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia