Interview with Lyman T. Johnson, March 27, 1979

Interview Summary

In this interview with Lyman T. Johnson many topics are covered, most pertaining to the subject of race in American society. To begin the interview, Johnson discusses the tensions felt between races immediately following integration in the South. He discusses the dynamics between black police officers and white suspects. Johnson discusses how the experience of being African American differs based on where a person lives in America, discussing the increased difficulty of living in the South. Johnson talks about the importance of education which was instilled in him by his family. While studying history in graduate school, Johnson quickly realized that the majority of Southern history was whitewashed and hid the real truth. The good parts about the South were highlighted, while slavery and segregation were largely forgotten about or described in a way that validated them. He discusses the tiered racial structure in America today. Johnson makes a point that the present day white people in America are not responsible for slavery and he does not expect them to be able to repay black people for that, however he does say that they can build a better future for people of color, and that people of color and white people can achieve equality. Johnson discusses his job experience and what it taught him.

Interview Keyword

African American police Segregation in transportation Racial profiling in law enforcement Catholicism Protestantism Colonialism Colonization Racial superiority Vietnam War, 1961-1975 White supremacy Crime W.E.B. DuBois Great Depression

Interview LC Subject

African Americans--Education (Higher) African Americans--Employment African Americans--Economic conditions African Americans--Social conditions Race discrimination African Americans--Segregation Racial profiling in law enforcement Racism United States--Race relations Racism Segregation Inequality Slavery Economics African Americans--Civil rights African Americans--Southern States

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.