Interview with Zack Bell, Sr., December 22, 1986
Project: Black People in Lexington Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Known for his integrity, Mr. Bell has farmed most of his life.The son of a former slave, he recalls leaving home at age 12 after his parent's separation and living any way he could until boarding with a minister until the age of 16. Mr. Bell remembers working for Charlie Gardiner, Mr. Clark, and various farms in the area. Married at the age of nineteen, he and his wife farmed, raised tobacco and hogs, milked cows, and together reared twelve children. He reminisces about homemade, herbal remedies for health problems and other medical practices. Mr. Bell remarks on his lifelong
avoidance of debt and on past holidays.
Mr. Bell talks about the transformation his community has undergone, his relationships with the white community, and his participation in church activities for over 50 years. He discusses his educational background, and offers commentary on the quality of education received by African Americans today, including community support for education. Mr. Bell delineates his opposition to integration, the impact of the civil rights movement on the African American community, the corruption inherent in politics, and remembers Dr. Martin Luther King, Jesse Jackson and Ronald Reagan.
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Interview Keyword
African Americans African Americans in Lexington Lexington, Kentucky Race relationsInterview LC Subject
African American families African Americans--Civil rights--Kentucky African Americans--Education--Kentucky--Lexington African Americans--Kentucky--Lexington--Economic conditions African Americans--Religion Bell, Zack, Sr. Bell, Zack, Sr.--Interviews African Americans African Americans--Race identityInterview 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.Restriction
Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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.
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Bell, Zack, Sr. Interview by Emily Parker. 22 Dec. 1986. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Bell, Z., Sr. (1986, December 22). Interview by E. Parker. Black People in Lexington Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Bell, Zack, Sr., interview by Emily Parker. December 22, 1986, Black People in Lexington Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
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