Project of Ashley Marie Burke and Alan Emerson
Proposal
Oral histories were the first way humans began passing down information from generation to generation. Today, oral history remains an important resource for historians to gain personal accounts of historical events. Oral history can be used to analyze different points of view from different socioeconomic groups, support historical facts, and even uncover history. For example, the Civil Rights Movement is often taught in school from more of an objective perspective; however, oral histories from leaders and citizens during that time help give a more personal account of what was happening during that time. Both of those sources of history are important for understanding the past.
We will be conducting a series of interviews with individuals who were involved with the Civil Rights Movement. One of us will take notes while the other conducts the formal interview. In order to do this, we must ensure that the person we are interviewing is comfortable with both people in the room. If they are not, then we will only do the interview with one person. For each interviewee, we will research the person in order to develop the most suitable questions relevant to the topic at hand.
For each person interviewed, there will be a set of standard question asked including, but not limited to:
- What is your name? Could you spell that for me?
- What do you currently do?
- Tell me about your early life.
- What are you passionate about?
We will digitally record each interview. After all interviews are completed, we will transcribe them so that the information is more readily accessible.
Both of us are dedicated to learning the art of interviewing and recording oral histories so that generations to come can learn from and enjoy first hand accounts of the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Our personal goal is to successfully prepare for, conduct, and record interviews that will be stored for the class project.
Interviews
Dr. Roslyn Pope: Transcript
Lonnie C. King, Jr.: Transcript