Interview with Juan E. Hernandez, July 18, 1997

Interview Summary

Dr. Juan E. Hernandez recalls his tutor when he was growing up in Cuba, and explains that his grandfather provided one for his grandchildren and the people who worked for him. He remembers reading the newspapers in 1914, when World War I began. He came to the United States as a tourist in 1926 and visited fourteen states. Hernandez talks at length about his life near Camaguey, Cuba, his flight from Cuba to the United States in the 1930s, and individuals who helped him escape. He mentions a job offer from General Charles Pelot Summerall, President of the Citadel, to teach cadets Spanish, which he did not accept. He recalls his journey from Cuba to Kentucky. Hernandez taught at Kentucky Wesleyan College while working on a degree in chemistry. During this time, he also attended classes at UK. He earned his master's at UK as well as a Ph.D. in abnormal psychology. Dean Doug Boyd, of the College of Communications and Information Studies, later asked Hernandez to join the faculty although "he promised himself he'd never hire a Latin". Hernandez joined the UK faculty in 1936 and remained in Lexington after the Cuban Revolution. Hernandez recalls no discrimination in Lexington but states that there was prejudice at the university. He compares the racial situation on campus with the racial situations in Cuba and Haiti. He remembers his first day of teaching, where his department head, Dr. Roberta Wilson Server threatened to report him because he talked to a janitor. Hernandez recalls his first African-American student was a UK employee, Henry Cannon. Hernandez mentions several other students, including Maureen Strider, whose father accused Hernandez of failing her because of her color. He states he had no racial incidents of any kind in his classes. Hernandez emphasizes that teachers should consider students the most precious thing in the world. He notes that he makes no distinction between his students because of their color, and that it is the teacher's responsibility to teach all students.

Interview Keyword

Cuba African American students Kentucky Wesleyan College Emigration and immigration. Immigrants--Kentucky College students--Conduct of life. College students--Attitudes. College students--Social conditions

Interview LC Subject

Abel, Maureen B. Strider Hernandez, Juan E. Hernandez, Juan E.--Interviews University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--History African American college students. African Americans--Education (Higher) African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Social conditions. College environment College teachers--Social conditions College teachers. College teaching. Discrimination in education. Education, Higher--Kentucky Educators Integration Lexington (Ky.) Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations. Race discrimination. Race relations--Kentucky Racism Segregation in education--Kentucky Universities and colleges--Faculty.

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Interview Usage

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