Interview with Edward Owens, Jr., June 26, 1978

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

Segment Synopsis: Owens discusses his own background regarding school and the service as well as the history of the radio tech school.

Keywords: Business schools; Radio communication; Radio tech schools; Radio technicians

Subjects: Education; Military

Partial Transcript: How long have you been employed at the army depot?

Segment Synopsis: Owens explains the purpose of the Army Depot, how he got involved, and when the Depot got started.

Keywords: Army depots; Employment

Subjects: Military

Partial Transcript: What was their policy about hiring blacks?

Segment Synopsis: Owens speaks on the effect integration had on the Army Depot related to hiring and employee demographics.

Keywords: Human resources; Inequality; Policy; Workforce policy

Subjects: Employee selection; Equality

Partial Transcript: How were the relations between the blacks and whites at the Depot when it first opened?

Segment Synopsis: Owens addresses the slow progress of integration he experienced at the Army Depot.

Keywords: Integration; Relationships

Subjects: Race relations; Segregation

Partial Transcript: What was the criteria used for promotion?

Segment Synopsis: Owens details the history of promotion discrimination at the Depot. He says that there is evident racial favoritism.

Keywords: Favoritism; Performance; Seniority

Subjects: Discrimination; Error; Promotion

Partial Transcript: What year did the Depot start to phase down?

Segment Synopsis: Owens describes the specifics of the closing of the Army Depot in Lexington.

Keywords: Budget cuts; Coasts; Cost and benefits; Geography; Government spending; Phase out

Subjects: Expenditures, Public; Government spending policy