Container
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Title
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
0:05
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Employment of Blacks in Racine, : Hiring policies of various foundries. Names of Blacks working at foundries.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
3:00
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Explanation of Jenkins's Lists of Black Residents of Racine : See document, “Racine Black Population, c.1930.” How he prepared lists, help he received, what they include. Discussion includes comments on number of Blacks in Racine, circa 1930.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
6:55
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Degree of Contact Among Blacks Within Racine : Why Jenkins had unusually wide range of acquaintances.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
7:45
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Story Illustrating Black Self-Image,
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
8:40
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Anecdote About Jenkins's Uncle, Who Deserted Wife : Fled when Jenkins recognized him at train station.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
9:45
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Jenkins's Early Family Life : Activities with parents, uncle. More explanation of why he had a wide range of acquaintances.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
11:05
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Residential Patterns of Racine Blacks : General areas where Blacks lived. Identifies other families who, like Jenkins's, lived outside of Black neighborhoods.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
13:10
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Anecdote About Racine Woman Who Owned Property in Gary : Took horse and buggy trip there circa 1922.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
14:50
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More Explanation of Lists; Long-Time Racine Residents : Families in Racine before 1900. See document, “Racine Black Population, circa 1900.” “Fifth generation” Black residents of Racine.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
21:15
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Black Family Patterns, : Many single people--”rounders,” prostitutes, gamblers. Average family size small because of this.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
22:40
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Black Migration to Racine--Why, Where From : Blacks from South usually stopped in Chicago before reaching Racine. Racine considered good place to come--jobs available.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
23:30
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Further Explanation of Lists : See document, “Racine Black Population, c.1930.” Number of children in families on list.
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Tape/Side
1/1
Time
30:20
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Comments on Logan Davis, Only Black Resident of Racine to Fight in American Civil War : Incomplete story; end of tape. See 1/29/74 interview; 1:1, 0:35.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
0:05
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Further Explanation of Lists : See document, “Racine Black Population, c.1930.” Number of children in families on list.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
2:30
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Changes in Family Patterns Among Racine Blacks : Many single people came in during 1920s; during early 1930s influx of both single and married people, by mid-1930s many getting married.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
4:10
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No Conflict Between Settled Blacks and Newcomers,
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
4:35
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Social Groupings, Habits : Some Blacks, known as the “Four Hundred,” strove to live virtuously, be a moral elite; others participated in gambling, “house parties.” Nearly all went to church.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
6:20
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Churches in the Black Community : Served as gathering places. Were segregated. Most Blacks went to Baptist or A.M.E. church. Splinter groups developed later.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
8:20
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Explanation of Jenkins's Written Notes : See document, “Early Notables.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
8:40
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Sports in Racine, (Boxing, Baseball) : Discussion of individual athletes. Baseball team known as the “Colored Athletics.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
14:30
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Integration in Racine, : Sports teams, restaurants, saloons integrated; most churches segregated. Felt no discrimination.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
15:35
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Use of Word “Nigger”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
15:50
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Changes in Racial Relations in Racine : Degree of integration at various times; reasons for changes.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
19:00
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No Black Ownership of Bars, Restaurants, : Blacks could not get license to operate a tavern.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
20:00
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Entertainment, Social Life in Racine, : See document, “What's for Entertainment.”
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
20:05
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Availability, Manufacture of Whiskey in Racine During Prohibition : Description of illegal operations. Ineffectiveness of government regulation. Involvement of Italians.
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Tape/Side
1/2
Time
24:45
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Sports in Racine (Baseball) : More discussion of individual athletes. Most Blacks were switch hitters. Blacks motivated by competition with each other; knew they could beat Whites.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
0:05
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Sports in Racine, (Baseball and Fast-Pitch Softball) : More discussion of individual athletes, including Jenkins himself, and of city teams. Colored Athletics played against White teams.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
7:10
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Sponsorship, Support for Black Teams : Sources of money for uniforms; semi-pro ball.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
11:40
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Playing Baseball Against Waupun Prison Team : Visiting team received free meal. Guards would bet on prison team, give prisoners special privileges if they won.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
12:35
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Gambling At Ball Games : Commonly done.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
12:55
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Story of Ball Player From Racine Who Was Sentenced to Waupun Prison, Played Ball There
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
13:55
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More on Semi-Pro Ball, Other Summer Athletics,
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
15:55
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Russell Oswald, New York Prison Superintendent at Time of Attica : On tape, incorrectly identified as Oswald Cullen.
: Jenkins had good relationship with “Ozzie” when he was director of parks in Racine. Surprised by his actions at Attica.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
18:20
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Athletics as a Route to Prominence in the Community; Black Leadership in : Whites came to certain Blacks to find out what was happening in community; no leaders with strong base of support in Black community.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
21:00
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Mayors of Bronzeville; Problems of Discrimination : “Mayor of Bronzeville” informally elected Black leader--response to problems of discrimination which grew during the 1930s. Discussion of Racine Black leaders; lack of educated Blacks.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
24:30
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Migration of Blacks to Racine, : Origins of migrants, including Jenkins's family; reasons for migration to Racine.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
26:45
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Recruiting Blacks as Strikebreakers : Recruited in South to work in North. Experiences of Jenkins's father.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
27:45
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Racial Relations in Beloit : Relations embittered by early practices of recruiting Blacks as strikebreakers. Jenkins tells of being refused service in Beloit Rexall restaurant, circa 1935.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
29:10
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Discrimination in Janesville : Particularly bad because many Southern Whites recruited to work in Janesville.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
30:00
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More on Recruiting Blacks as Strikebreakers in Beloit, : Brought up from South in boxcars like cattle.
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Tape/Side
2/1
Time
31:00
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Comparison of Racial Relations in Beloit and Racine : Much more conflict in Beloit; not bad in Racine until late 1930s.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
0:15
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Black Sports Teams : See document, “Early Notables.” Sources of support for baseball and basketball teams. Basketball team also known as “Colored Athletics.” Basketball players more educated than others.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
2:10
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Educational Experiences of Racine Blacks : In Jenkins's generation few completed high school.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
3:30
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Sports in the High Schools : Discussion of Blacks who played at Racine high schools, including Jenkins.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
5:35
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More Discussion of Colored Athletics Basketball Team : Transportation, ways of raising money (”house parties”).
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
7:05
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More Discussion of How Jenkins Got to Know So Many People : House near railroad, social center; Jenkins often out around the town.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
8:35
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Started Driving Car at Age Twelve : Lied about age to get driver's license.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
10:00
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More on Basketball, Raising Money for Teams : Competition among team members. Comparison of Racine team to Savoy Five, the team which became the Harlem Globetrotters. More on how Racine team raised money by having dances and parties and passing the hat at games.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
13:45
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Low-Status Occupations of Blacks; Distinctions Among Types of Workers : During 1930s no Black professionals; Blacks did industrial or menial labor. Foundry workers made money but were not social and moral elite of Black community. Gamblers and prostitutes also made money, were patronized by foundry workers.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
16:25
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Gambling and Prostitution : Racine considered good city for hustling because Blacks generally had steady employment, money. Jenkins's experiences in gambling during 1940s; description of games, size of stakes; publicized by word of mouth. Anecdote about a raid.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
22:05
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Use of Word “Nigger” : Could be used in joking way by White who had grown up in Black community.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
23:05
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More on Gambling, Prostitution, Drinking, : See document, “What's for Entertainment.” Clientele for Black prostitutes mainly White. “House rent parties,” popular type of activity, usually included gambling and prostitution as well as drinking.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
24:55
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Use of Drugs in Black Community : Hard drugs not used in Racine until 1970s; social pressure against it in Black community. Much pot smoking in Milwaukee during 1930s--description of “hole-in-the-wall” nightclubs popular with musicians.
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Tape/Side
2/2
Time
28:25
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More on Gambling, Prostitution, Drinking : Youngsters could go to house parties but not drink whiskey or gamble. Jenkins drank beer from age ten, but not whiskey. Generosity and genuineness of hookers. Many gamblers and prostitutes remained in Racine, often went into other occupations and became respected citizens.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
0:01
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Numbers Games; Other Forms of Gambling : Numbers never established for any length of time in Racine--Blacks had enough money to play games with higher stakes.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
1:40
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Explanation of How “Georgia Skin” Card Game Is Played : Anecdotes about size of stakes, ways to cheat.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
9:45
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Dice--Anecdotes About Good Players
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
13:00
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Police and Gambling : Police knew about gambling but did not make raids unless parties got too disorderly. No graft involved.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
14:15
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Comments of Willie Mann
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
16:40
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Sammy Hicks; Vice and Wealth : Owned several houses of prostitution, made quick money during 1930s, had important Whites as clients, but made foolish mistakes and had to leave town.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
18:50
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Wealth and Status in the Black Community; Black Doctors, Lawyers, Politicians : No Black had much money to give in support of community causes in 1930s. First Black doctor, first Black lawyer came in late 1960s. No Black ownership of business or election to public office until 1960s. Names of Blacks who held political office. Until 1960s no Black held high-status position in Racine; foundry workers best paid.
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Tape/Side
3/1
Time
24:50
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Union Activities, [UAW] : Incomplete story; end of tape
: How Jenkins got involved. Tried to protect Black rights in immediate post-war period when tight conditions threatened their jobs at the foundry where Jenkins worked and when management and workers were abusing the rights of Black workers recently brought in from Caribbean. Took a leading role in a sit-down strike and then gained power by helping eventually victorious faction in struggle for union leadership at his foundry.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
0:05
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Union Activities, : More on how Jenkins became involved. Inspired by contacts with union men from Detroit who told him of struggle there. Somewhat difficult to get union activity started in foundries because workers treated rather well. Jenkins's union committee work.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
2:40
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Black Voting, Racine : In immediate post-war period Jenkins, through union committee position, set up registration program for Blacks. Before Blacks did not bother to vote, although there was no overt attempt to prevent them from doing so.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
4:00
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Jenkins's Union Activities, : Jenkins eventually held high offices in local UAW at Belle City Malleable and on local regional councils. Encouraged Blacks at other Racine factories to become involved in union activities.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
5:15
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UAW Foundry Council : Jenkins eventually became president of regional council. Tried to encourage other Black to get on the council, although some abused their positions. Gives examples of Black union leaders who disgraced their position.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
7:50
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Union Movement--Entrenched Power : Leaders protect each other, as police do. Lose touch with membership, as politicians do.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
11:50
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“Store-Front Niggers” : Blacks have gained some status positions in Racine, but do not really exercise power or have a chance to learn administrative skills. South Side Development Corporation example--doing good work but essentially under White control. Blacks with good positions remain quiet for fear of losing their jobs.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
18:00
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S.C. Johnson Company--Sam Johnson : Company has done a great deal for the community, although has not given Blacks leadership training. Sam Johnson is straightforward, direct.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
21:00
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Black Leadership in Present Racine : What little leadership there is is mainly in hands of men who are relative newcomers to Racine.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
22:00
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Conflicts Within Black Community, Militancy : Thinks moderate approach, as exhibited by lawyer and regent Ed Hales, proper for Racine, although “raised fist” might be right for other places such as Chicago. Critical of assumption of White leaders that Black leaders such as Jenkins can accurately report on the feelings of the entire Black community on a given issue.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
26:00
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Black Occupational Opportunities, : Most Blacks laborers, domestics but two did become foremen in 1920s, one at tannery, one at foundry.
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Tape/Side
3/2
Time
27:40
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Black Ministers : Story of Rev. Bass, a “White folk's nigger” whom Jenkins helped run out of town in 1950s. Other problems with ministers who put their own interests ahead of those of community.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
0:10
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Comments on Using Newspapers for Research
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
0:35
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Little Violence in Black Community Prior to : See document, “Misc. Notes on Racine.” Only four murders during 1920s and 1930s (enumerates). One suicide during that period and one since. No violence between Blacks and Whites prior to 1940 except fist fights between individuals. No guns or knives as later.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
3:20
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Ku Klux Klan : Active in Racine during 1920s. Marched through city. Hung Black doll in Jenkins family cherry tree. Had large meetings, cross burnings, but no confrontations.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
7:05
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Conflict, Fighting in Racine of : No widespread ethnic or racial conflicts. Some gang fights using fists and bricks, with allegiances determined by neighborhood of residence rather than ethnic background.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
9:45
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Discrimination Against Blacks, : No ethnic group worse than any other although Italians happened to own taverns, therefore they more often discriminated.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
11:05
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Stealing by Blacks, : Only two kids arrested for stealing during this period, only one served time. This began to change, along with other things, in 1940s.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
12:45
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Black Leadership--More on Mayor of Bronzeville; George Bray : Tradition of mayor continued into 1940s. Achievements of George Bray, once Mayor of Bronzeville.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
15:10
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The “Hi-Lites”--Social Club, : Description of club's annual social bash, a big event in Black community. Ties with the Four Hundred.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
19:45
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Jenkins's Achievements : First to get integrated local union to take NAACP membership; president of Racine County AF of L-CIO Council; instigated establishment of Racine County blood bank.
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
23:15
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Discussion of Clippings Album Kept by Mrs. Jenkins
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Tape/Side
4/1
Time
25:00
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Democrats's Decision to Put Up William Proxmire for Senate Seat in
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
0:15
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Jenkins's Impressions of Gaylord Nelson, Proxmire : Nelson less aggressive, but has “magnetic” personality.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
3:15
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School for Workers, Madison : Jenkins attended for eight years during 1950s. Learned time-study techniques and received other training useful for union work.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
7:00
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UAW Educational Programs : Racine took lead, had program before Detroit. Hugh Reichert brought in to teach, added to quality of city's labor movement.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
9:35
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Racine Labor Movement; Strikes at Case : Racine developed effective labor movement, perhaps because of lessons learned from many strikes. Jenkins's involvement in Case strike.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
12:15
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Racial Attitudes of Unions; Jenkins's Union Activities : Jenkins encountered some racial antagonism from union members, especially craft unions. Intra-union disputes. Anecdote about setting up discount prescription drug arrangement for union members. Unions formerly hindrance to Black advancement, began opening up with coming of industrial unions in 1930s and due to wartime prosperity. More on blood bank.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
19:25
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Decline of Union Power in Racine : In recent years unions have taken less interest than previously in local politics, have less power. Union power at height in 1940s--had fourteen of eighteen aldermen; in 1974 had only three.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
21:45
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Discussion of Practical Details of the Interview
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
22:40
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De Luca Murder ; Inter-Racial Tension : For a fuller discussion of this incident see memo of 10/15/73 on interviewer's phone conversation with Jenkins, and related documents.
: White murdered by two Blacks. Angry White mob threatened to burn down house in Black community where alleged murderers had boarded. Threats of violence, but none occurred. Unique incident--nothing similar in Racine history.
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
25:50
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More Discussion of Details of Interview
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
26:20
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Comments on Jenkins's Son, a Graduate Student
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Tape/Side
4/2
Time
28:00
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End of Interview
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