Dr. Mark Naison

Description

Fordham University History professor and Crown Heights native Dr. Mark Naison discusses what it was like growing up on Lefferts Avenue as an third generation Jewish-American. The conversation reveals the social dynamics Crown Heights residents endured during the 1950s and 60s and highlights differences of racial, economic, ethnic and cultural relations between then and the 90s and 2010s. Dr. Naison recalls Crown Heights in the 50s being a predominately Italian and Jewish neighborhood with a few African-Americans residents. He defined the area as a tough working class neighborhood and highlighted the presence of organized crimes. In addition, he discusses how sports played huge part of the social fabric in the area and details how neighborhood children played all types of sports. He explained how the children looked up to athletes regardless the color, including sports icons like Willie Mays, Elgin Baylor, and Bill Russell. Dr. Naison remembers the optimism neighborhood children felt about their future compared to their parents’ anxiety, which he accredited discrimination and the Great Depression, especially Italian and Jewish immigrants. Dr. Naison could not recall what African American children felt about their future at the time. In addition, Dr. Naison articulates his experiences growing up with blacks classmates and teammates, revealing the paucity of discussion surrounding race and racism between Whites and Blacks during the early 50s. In the interview Dr. Naison also covers the Lequerville and Pigtown neighborhoods, including witnessing racial tensions between Italians, Jews, and African Americans. Dr. Naison also recalls the social dynamics surrounding...

From Collection

Voices of Crown Heights