Interview with Karl M. Dawson, August 22, 1985

Interview Summary

Karl Dawson talks about growing up and living in Logan County, Kentucky and the interactions and relationships he had with African American people. He talks about growing up with an African American family who lived and worked on his family farm. Dawson would play with the kids while the adults would tend to the chores. Because of this, Dawson says he did not observe the same amount of prejudice or discrimination that was being felt throughout the South. However, Dawson does try to recall some details about a brutal lynching that took place in Logan County before he was born. Although the details are foggy, Dawson remembers hearing about the lynching tree and was always too scared to go by it. Dawson finishes by talking about some African American role models he has, including his friend and fellow farm owner. His friend was the only African American on the city council and helped for over 10 years.

Interview Keyword

African Americans African Americans in Kentucky Race relations Rural towns Logan County (Ky.) Lynchings African Americans--Crimes against. African Americans--Southern States African Americans--Employment Segregated schools

Interview LC Subject

African Americans--Civil rights African Americans--Civil rights--Kentucky African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions Dawson, Karl M. Dawson, Karl M.--Interviews African Americans

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

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