Struggs, E C 1969
E. C. Struggs recalls his impressions of the black community in Lubbock during the 1930s, with an emphasis on schools and education.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: E.C. Struggs
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: February 22 and April 11, 1969
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Lynn Musselwhite and Robert Foster
Length: 2 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Biographical information,
Reasons for coming to Lubbock,
Location of black school,
Buildings,
Teachers,
Number of students,
Length of establishment,
Source of building,
Source of teachers,
Naming of Dunbar High School,
Depression and effects on blacks,
Effects on students,
Picking cotton and school dropouts,
Subscription teachers,
Length of black school establishment,
Superintendent of schools—M. H. Duncan,
Reason for firing,
Establishment of black high school,
Dr. Kenneth Oberholtzer, Superintendent,
Changes in school system,
Curriculum,
Percentage of graduates,
Community school support,
Building of new school,
Overcrowding,
Percentage of college entrants before World War II,
Teacher increase.
Tape 1, Side 2: Blank
Tape 2, Side 1: E. C. Struggs, Principal of Dunbar (1930),
First school,
Faculty,
School facilities,
Subjects taught,
Heating,
New school built,
Use of churches,
Early teachers,
Mrs. Struggs taught school,
First impressions of black community,
Struggs’ home,
Public utilities (gas, sewers, electricity, water),
Early black settlers,
Businesses on Avenue A,
Race relations,
School facilities compared,
Coached basketball team,
Uniforms donated,
School colors changed,
Exhibition game at Tech,
Attendance high,
Teachers’ meeting not segregated,
Impressions of West Texas (1930),
Treatment of blacks,
Depression,
Paychecks discounted,
Low pay,
Effect on schools,
Teachers’ salaries,
Change in policy.
Tape 2, Side 2: Dr. Chatman—locations of offices,
Mae Simmons, teacher,
School attendance dropped during harvest season,
Black churches,
Denominations and locations,
Important role in black life,
Cooperation between churches,
Non-denominational revivals,
Attitude toward housing restrictions,
Urban Renewal Project,
Fraternal organizations,
Black Chamber of Commerce unsuccessful.
Range Dates: 1930-1940
Bulk Dates: 1930-1940
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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