Interview with Stephen C. Cawood, February 8, 1991

Interview Summary

In this second interview with Steve Cawood, he continues discussing his experience as an Appalachian Volunteer. He describes the conflict between those who were native to the Appalachian region and the "outsiders" within the AVs. Cawood explains the attitude of those people involved in the Council of the Southern Mountains (CSM). He states that everyone was naive about what the reformers were up against in terms of the eastern Kentucky political structure. He recalls the political machines, especially the one run by Jim Cawood.

Cawood describes the founding of the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund ("Apple Red"), which was based on a West Virginia organization. Like so many other War on Poverty programs, legal services was accused of communism by those in control of the local legal system. Eventually, however, Cawood and other young attorneys were able to convince that local bar association that the legal services did not compete with them because they served people who would have been pro bono cases or otherwise would have been left out of the system completely. As a young clerk Cawood also did research for the McSurely case, and he discusses the divisions that occurred within the AVs over anti-war issues.

Cawood also discusses in more detail his job writing Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) grants for Community Action Programs (CAP). He talks about the clash of cultures between native mountain people and middle class students sent in to "save" them. He emphasizes two long-lasting effects of the War on Poverty: identifying local leaders, and effectively aiding communities that organized around vital issues such as strip mining.

Interview Keyword

anti-poverty organizations Appalachian Volunteers Black Lung movement Community Action Programs conflict with Jim Cawood Eastern Kentucky University Eula Hall Pineville War On Poverty

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Cawood, Stephen C. Cawood, Stephen C.--Interviews Economic assistance

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Interview Usage

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