Interview with Lyman T. Johnson, June 20, 1979

Interview Summary

In this interview, Lyman T. Johnson describes many hardships of black people living in America. Johnson and the interviewer both acknowledge the fact that discrimination and segregation existed everywhere, from churches to schools to entire sections of cities. Johnson points out in this interview the similarities between poor whites and black people, saying they are both forgotten about, uncared for groups, and he feels sympathy for both. Johnson also discusses the rapid decline of west Louisville in this interview as well. Johnson attributes this to the large influx of people moving to other areas of the city, and leaving behind property for absentee landlords to rent to poorer citizens. When everyone can't afford to keep up the curb appeal of a neighborhood, Johnson says that begins the true downfall of the neighborhood. Johnson says it is possible to prevent the formation of a group of black citizens separated from other black citizens, similar to how white people look down on other white people who they demote and label "white trash." Johnson wishes to prevent this from dividing and creating disunity in the black community in America. Johnson describes much of his life in this interview, everything from the nightlife he was involved in when he was in his 30s and 40s, to how he met his wife, and his time working in the education system and the navy. Johnson puts heavy emphasis on the fact that black people in America face a large burden simply because of the color of their skin. He says many doors are closed to him and other black people purely based on the fact that he is black. Johnson finishes the interview by saying it is important that he is able to speak for this population and allow others, mainly white people, to acknowledge the many obstacles many people face because of skin color in America still today.

Interview Keyword

Education. Nightlife. Clubs. Police brutality. African Americans--Health and hygiene. African Americans--Marriage. African American families African Americans--Genealogy. Family histories. Family history. Genealogy Slavery--United States. Slaves--Social conditions.

Interview LC Subject

Real estate Housing. Inequality Neighborhoods. Neighbors African American neighborhoods Economic conditions Racism. Classism. Social status. African Americans--Civil rights Civil rights demonstrations Civil rights movements--United States United States--Race relations. African Americans--Social life and customs. African Americans--Societies, etc. African Americans--Social conditions. African American leadership African American veterans. African Americans--Segregation Race discrimination. African Americans--Race identity.

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.