Integration: the African American Experience in Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1997

This monograph provides a short history of Afro-American segregation and desegregation issues from a national and state (Virginia) perspective, beginning with the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. Mentions various issues on a national level: social, political, economic, and educational perspectives, with a review of various individuals and organizations supporting equality issues and black rights: W.E.B. Dubois and the NAACP; Thurgood Marshall; Dr. Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Reviews the concept of sit-ins as a form of protest; differing white responses, including the Ku Klux Klan. Reviews the same issues from the state level, with an emphasis on Virginia's resistive response: pro-segregationist views of Armistead L. Boothe, the Byrd Organization, and the Defenders of State Sovereignty and Individual Liberties versus viewpoints of organizations led by church ministers, college professors and social workers. Also included is information on voter rights and demographic issues. The background paper ends with a brief review of local (Rockingham County and Harrisonburg, Va.) responses to integration efforts, and speculates on reasons why they were mostly favorable.

Records Mr. Rhodes' recollections of growing up in Harrisonburg, Va. during the segregation and integration era following World War I (from 1920's) to the present. Talks about local changes over the years in educational, vocational/job, economic, cultural, recreational, and social opportunities for blacks. In particular, comments on relations between whites and blacks prior to, during and following the Civil Rights movement and school integration era. Talks about changes over the years in trade versus professional opportunities, closed job markets, and GI training to open his barbershop business; also integrated sports opportunities and neighborhoods. Talks about his 25 years of public service as the first black city official; campaigning, etc. (six years on School Board, two as Chair; sixteen years on the City Council, membership on the City annexation committee). Comments on state-wide organizations and individuals created to impede black advancement (Byrd Organization, J. Lindsay Almond) and his own relations with whites, based on business, public and social friendships and contacts. In general, shares his opinions of and philosophy about race relations within the Harrisonburg, Va. community over the years. Recorded at the home of Mr. Elon Rhodes, Harrisonburg, Va. on March 18, 1997.

Records Mrs. Blakey's recollections of growing up and working in Virginia during the segregation and integration era following World War II. In particular, talks about the influence of her parents; college education; teaching career (1955-1996); family; and community life in Harrisonburg, Va. Mentions her experiences as a business teacher, first at the all black elementary-high school, Lucy Simms High School, and then at Harrisonburg High School as the first black teacher following integration. Compares and contrasts curricula and other opportunities at the two schools; the Brown vs Education decision and resulting impact on school integration. Mentions local changes over the years especially in the areas of educational, vocational/job, economic, cultural, recreational, and social opportunities for blacks. Talks about her family and sons, the importance of education; travel to other countries; and church membership. Comments on state-wide organizations and individuals created to impede black advancement (Byrd Organization, J. Lindsay Almond) and her own relations with whites, based on social friendships and contacts. In general, shares her opinions of and philosophy about race relations within the Harrisonburg, Va. community over the years. Recorded at the home of Mrs. Barbara Blakey, Harrisonburg, Va. on April 2, 1997.