African American Oral History Collection
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10605/303299
The African-American Oral History Collection documents the diverse perspectives of the
African-American people of Lubbock and the South Plains. These interviews and accompanying
manuscript materials cover a myriad of topics including; early Lubbock, segregation,
discrimination, politics, education, music, art, cultural celebrations, the May 11, 1970 tornado,
commerce, and sport.
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Item Thomas James Patterson oral history interview 1999-07-08(1999-07-08)This interview features Thomas James Patterson as he reflects on his involvement with journalism and writing for newspapers such as the Southwest Digest.Item Thomas James Patterson oral history interview 1999-06-16(1999-06-16)This interview features Thomas James Patterson as he reflects on his time spent in the city council, and the involvement of minority communities in Lubbock and in politics. In this interview, Thomas describes his views on why people aren’t as involved in politics, and things that shaped politics in Lubbock.Item Thomas James Patterson oral history interview 2004-07-26(2004-07-26)This interview features Thomas James Patterson as he discusses his career in politics and ethnic minorities in Lubbock.Item Thomas James Patterson oral history interview 2018-07-05(2018-07-05)This interview features T.J. Patterson as he reflects on President Obama’s administration, and provides his thoughts on President Trump.Item Strong, Eric 2011-11-07(2011-11-07)This interview features Eric Strong of Lubbock. Strong talks about his work on various cultural projects associated with East Lubbock. He discusses working with and establishing various community organizations.Item Priestly, Clarence 2017-11-10(2017-11-10)This interview features Clarence Priestly as he discusses his career in education. In this interview, Clarence describes how he got involved in education, facing discrimination in the classroom and school district, and his advice for future educators.Item Caro, Ruben 2018-07-12(2018-07-12)This interview features Ruben Caro as he discusses early Lubbock, his church, and his wife.Item Caro, Ruben 2018-06-26(2018-06-26)This interview features Ruben Caro as he discusses his life living in Lubbock. In this interview, Caro describes how Lubbock had changed over the years, what it is like to live as a black man in America, and how the Civil Rights movement affected Lubbock.Item Charles Taylor oral history interview(2017-11-15)This interview features Charles Taylor who discusses his teaching career. Charles recounts working as a teacher during integration and the busing that occurred in Lubbock.Item Eddie Randle oral history interview 2017-11-14(2017-11-14)This interview features Eddie Randle as he recounts the time he spent in basic training in flight school and then being a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Randle discusses the trials and tribulations of flight school, Vietnam, his career, and his family.Item Eddie Randle oral history interview 2017-11-10(2017-11-10)This interview features Eddie Randle who describes his life growing up in Detroit and attending Cranbrook Preparatory School. Randle recounts his childhood in Detroit. He also discusses the Detroit Riot and the Vietnam War.Item Clarence Priestley oral history interview(2013-06-17)This interview features former school principal, Clarence Priestley. Priestly talks about growing up in east Lubbock and working in the Lubbock Independent School District. Priestly discusses segregation and the impact that this had on the school system. Priestly also talks about the culture of east Lubbock.Item Nettie Edwards oral history interview(2017-11-14)Nettie Edwards discusses growing up and receiving her education amidst segregation. Edwards describes the separate but unequal education she received as a child, attending college, and becoming an elementary school principal.Item James T. Braxton 12-20-2016 oral history interview(2016-12-20)This interview features James Braxton. Braxton discusses his love of music and playing the violin and the saxophone. He also recounts his career directing and writing music for the Dunbar High School band in Lubbock.Item James Otis Price oral history interview(2013-07-17)This interview features Lubbock band director James Otis Price. Price discusses his experiences growing up in East Lubbock, attending Texas Tech, and teaching music in Lubbock. Price also talks about the various professional musicians with whom he has played.Item Charles Taylor oral history interview(2013-05-02)This interview features Charles Taylor, who discusses his upbringing, family life, education, the African-American community, and his thirty-three years as teacher and principal in the public school system.Item Thomas J. Patterson Sr. oral history interview(2013-07-25)This interview features T. J. Patterson, who discusses his early life and upbringing, his experiences as an educator, Lubbock councilman, newspaper editor, and leader for the African- American community.Item Ralph Leggett oral history interview(2013-10-29)This interview features Lubbock barber, Ralph Leggett. Leggett discusses his career as a barber in East Lubbock. Leggett talks about the neighborhoods and the various businesses in East Lubbock and how urban renewal has changed the city’s landscape.Item Lawrence Guyton oral history interview(2013-07-24)This interview features Lawrence Guyton who discusses growing in East Lubbock. Guyton recalls segregation and crime in Lubbock in the 1940s, his struggles to graduate from high school, as well as how people in his neighborhood were able to work and survive with very little.Item Estella "Stella" Courtney oral history interview(2014-02-27)This interview features Stella Courtney recalling her experiences growing up in the Chatman Hill Community of Lubbock and being in the first integrated class at Texas Tech University. Courtney also discusses her career as a teacher, particularly teaching special education students.