Shields, Ben 1969, 1974
Ben Shields, Lubbock resident since 1925, recalls his move to Lubbock and his career as a barber and restaurant manager. He also discusses the early black community in Lubbock.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Ben Shields
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: April 22, 1969; January 18, 1974
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Robert Foster, David Murrah, and Elaine Banks
Length: 50 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Came to Lubbock in 1925,
Opened a café and barber shop,
Discusses Avenue A in 1927,
Early life and its difficulties,
Masons, Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows,
The black situation in Lubbock,
Relations with whites,
Hiring of black policemen in Lubbock,
Effects of the Depression on Lubbock blacks,
Food lines,
Food stamps,
A black denied a health certificate,
Tells how he got by without an education.
Tape 1, Side 2: Blank
Tape 2, Side 1: East Texas background recounted,
Work as a barber and servant in Lubbock described,
Management of restaurant noted,
Shields left East Texas because of prejudice,
Lubbock’s blank citizens recalled,
Black community described,
Reasons for move to Lubbock, sources of jobs for blacks,
Lubbock Post Office recalled,
Change in barber fees noted,
Willie Shields and effects of integration on café business mentioned,
Death of wife, stepdaughter cited,
Destruction of Lubbock Post Office cited.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1925-1974
Bulk Dates: 1925-1960s
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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