Interview with William Ellison, June 7, 1978

Partial Transcript: My name is Edward Owens. I'm working with Urban League on their Oral Black History part--Project.

Segment Synopsis: Ellison provides personal background information. He then describes his experience as a Black male in the military, and his experience after he was out of the military.

Keywords: Blacks; Lafayette Hotel; Navy; Segregation; Whites; World War 2

Subjects: African American veterans.; African Americans--Military service; Blacks--Segregation; Lexington, (Ky.); Louisville, (Ky.); War; World War II; World War Two; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: So your first hotel experience was at the Lafayette Hotel?

Segment Synopsis: Ellison describes his time working at the Lafayette Hotel. He provides information pertaining to the working conditions, the relationship between co-workers and customers, and the wages that were payed.

Keywords: Black waiters; Blacks; Co-workers; Integration; The Lafayette Hotel; Whites

Subjects: African Americans--Economic conditions.; African Americans--Employment.; Discrimination in employment.; Minimum wage; Segregation; Working conditions

Partial Transcript: Did you see any significant difference in the Lafayette club and the Campbell House as far as you were treated and as far as working conditions were concerned?

Segment Synopsis: Ellison describes his time at the Campbell House during the Civil Rights Movement.

Keywords: Campbell House; Civil Rights Movement; Employees; Employers; Integration; Lafayette House; Race relations; Rapport

Subjects: African Americans--Employment.; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States; Sit-ins (Civil rights)

Partial Transcript: After you were at the Campbell House, did--how long did you stay there?

Segment Synopsis: Ellison continues to chronicle his years of employment and describes the working conditions at The Continental Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky.

Keywords: Campbell House; Lafayette Hotel; Pay; The Continental; Wages; Workers

Subjects: African Americans--Employment.; African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights movements--United States; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.

Partial Transcript: Mr. Ellison, is there anything you'd like to comment on? Anything that I haven't asked you that you'd like to say?

Segment Synopsis: Ellison shows his contentment with the progressions made in the work force in terms of equality. He also provides the name of an individual with further insight.

Keywords: Job security; Jobs

Subjects: African Americans--Employment.; African Americans--Social conditions.; Discrimination in employment.; Equality; Lexington (Ky.)