Interview with Ben Story, Jr., June 27, 1978

Partial Transcript: Um, good afternoon. My name is Marguerite Ruttle.

Segment Synopsis: Story discusses his personal attachment to Lexington and his history in real estate.

Keywords: Background information; Real estate

Subjects: Lexington (Ky.); Real property

Partial Transcript: Um, to dealing with the interview itself, uh, it's the Urban League's project on Blacks in Lexington, and I understand that you were the first realtor to sell a house to, um, a Black.

Segment Synopsis: Story talks about how Blacks were forced to go to white realtors for home purchases because there were no Black realtors. He explores the definition of a realtor and provides a history of the National Association of Real Estate Boards, including the unwarranted prejudice. He discusses the experience of selling a house to an African American, from his perspective.

Keywords: First; Prejudice; Professionalism; Realtors; Service

Subjects: Broker; Discrimination; Experience; National Association of Real Estate Boards; Prejudices; Professional; Progress; Racism; Real estate agents; Real property; Social systems--Growth; Threats; Threats of violence

Partial Transcript: What was your, what was your reason? I mean, like, uh, do you have any definite reason why you did this or why or is there no reason? You just did it to do it?

Segment Synopsis: Story claims his own experiences are the reason for separating from the crowd and standing apart from prejudice of all kinds.

Keywords: Bible belt; Civil duty; Conflicts; Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Hypocrisy; Methodists; Peace; Truth; Underdog; War

Subjects: Child rearing; Church; Equality; Homosexuality; Human rights; Privilege; Racism; Religion; Respect; United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Partial Transcript: There's always been I guess a whites in education and, and controlling what students receive whereas there are Blacks going and they just seem to avoid their needs, if that's what you're trying to say.

Segment Synopsis: Story addresses a lack of fair treatment for minority students.

Keywords: Disadvantages

Subjects: African Americans--Education.; Discrimination; Minorities; Minority students; Racism; Schools

Partial Transcript: That's what I was gonna ask you is that almost any time, like, I get it, uh, insight you weren't really sure if the fella that moved into the house was Joe Scott.

Segment Synopsis: Story and Ruttle approach the idea of white insistence to be prejudiced regardless of an evident ability in Blacks to reach financial successes similar to and better than the whites.

Keywords: Appalachia; Black professionals; Higher education; Higher income; Integration; Intimidation; Professional; Resentment; Socioeconomic status; Upper income

Subjects: African Americans--Social conditions.; Appalachian region; Education, higher; Equality; Income; Marines; Segregation; United States--Race relations.

Partial Transcript: I, I guess you realized at the time that you did this that--or did you think even, I guess that it--did it hurt your business?

Segment Synopsis: Story mentions various reactions to his decision to sell a house to a Black family, including those from the community, friends, family, and fellow realtors.

Keywords: Appraisal; Appraisers; Courage; Valuation

Subjects: African Americans--Housing.; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Prejudices; Racism; Threats of violence; United States--Race relations.

Partial Transcript: Do, um, do whites--has there been any case--can you give me an example of any case where so many blacks have come in that the whites have moved out completely?

Segment Synopsis: Story mentions the white communities' reactions to Blacks moving into previously all-white neighborhoods.

Keywords: Avoidance

Subjects: African Americans--Housing.; African Americans--Social conditions.; Communities; Discrimination; Fear; Neighborhoods; Racism; United States--Race relations.

Partial Transcript: Is there such a thing--what is, is, um, uh--care to briefly explain what it is: restrictive covenants?

Segment Synopsis: Story talks about the generally accepted practices and the outright rules in real estate that are racist and discriminatory, as well as how he stood up to them for the sake of human rights.

Keywords: Contract; Contracts; Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Restrictive covenants; Rules

Subjects: Administrative regulations; African Americans--Housing.; African Americans--Social conditions.; Discrimination in housing--Law and legislation; Race discrimination.; Racism; United States. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Partial Transcript: Hm, can you think of anything else to tell us?

Segment Synopsis: Story wraps up discussing what he thinks is important regarding the education of minority students.

Keywords: Future; School

Subjects: African Americans--Education.; Teacher development