Brewer, Dr J Mason 1969-06-26
Dr. J. Mason Brewer, a famous black folklorist, speaks on the African-American’s traits, wit and characteristics. He relates several jokes and anecdotes typifying the blacks’ sense of humor.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Dr. J. Mason Brewer
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: June 26, 1969
Location: East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas
Interviewer:
Length: 50 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Introductory rhyme,
Jokes about speakers not knowing what to say,
Subject of talk: What the Negro's American experience has given him in the way of traits and characteristics,
Use wit to survive,
Joke about counting hogs,
Practical religion - concerned with God's power,
Joke about praying for money for freedom,
Reconstruction joke about stealing,
Modern times,
Joke about running red light,
Joke about Negro boy in spelling bee,
Taught to see opportunity and use it,
Joke about "wish mail",
Joke about watermelon eating contest,
Joke about anti-poverty program visitor ,
Joke about white man picking up a Negro,
Taught them faith in God,
Joke about lady and airplane,
Joke about going to a funeral on a train,
Taught Brotherhood and loyalty,
Joke about Booker T. Washington and the hack,
Poem about brotherhood,
Given him the emotional maturity to laugh at self,
Joke about Negro at heavenly gates (unfinished)
Tape 1, Side 2:
Joke about trolling for alligators,
Taught courage to defend self and protest,
Joke about praying to kill the whites,
Reconstruction joke about getting receipt,
Reconstruction joke about black senator,
Taught love of gossip,
A poem,
Joke about city Negro returning to country home,
Introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hardin (?),
Introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace (?),
Lady thanks people for nice treatment,
Introduction of speaker's wife,
Man tells of speaker coming the next day
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