Interview with Abby L. Marlatt, November 16, 1978

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

Segment Synopsis: Abby Marlatt is introduced. She gives a brief overview of her educational background, from her undergraduate education at Kansas State to her doctoral work at the University of California Berkeley where she became interested in human rights and involved in CORE.

Keywords: American Friends Service Committee; Bayard Rustin; Congress of Racial Equality (CORE); Doctorates; Fellowship of Reconciliation; Human rights; Kansas State University; Teaching; Undergraduate education

Subjects: College graduates; College students--Attitudes.; College students--Conduct of life.; College students--Social conditions; College teachers.; Educators; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of California, Berkeley.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What is CORE?

Segment Synopsis: Marlatt talks about the purpose of CORE, and their techniques of nonviolence. She talks about her work in Lexington attempting to desegregate public accommodations.

Keywords: Charles Smith; Cooperation; Dr. Reichert; Human rights; Job opportunities; Leadership; Lexington (Ky.); Nonviolence; Nonviolent direct action; Public accommodations; Restaurants; Sit-ins; William Reichert

Subjects: African Americans--Employment.; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States; Integration; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.; Race discrimination.; Racism--Kentucky--Lexington

Partial Transcript: How did Dr. Marlatt get involved?

Segment Synopsis: Marlatt discusses how her fellow faculty members and the administration at the University of Kentucky reacted to her involvement in civil rights activities.

Keywords: Colleagues; Donors; Involvement; Negative feedback; Reactions; University representatives

Subjects: Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States; College administrators; College benefactors; College teachers--Political activity; College teachers--Social conditions; Educators; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: How did the members of CORE go about trying to accomplish the things that they tried to accomplish?

Segment Synopsis: Marlatt talks about CORE's planning, which she says often took place at Pleasant Green Baptist Church. She talks about their principles of nonviolence, and their attempts to have discussions with business owners before sit-ins took place.

Keywords: Discussions; Downtown Lexington; Funding; Nonviolence; Pleasant Green Baptist Church; Problems; Raising money; Restaurants; Sit-ins; Strategy planning; Techniques

Subjects: African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States; Integration; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.; Race discrimination.; Racism--Kentucky--Lexington

Partial Transcript: How did the Black community view the Congress of Racial Equality?

Segment Synopsis: Marlatt talks about how both the Black community and white community reacted to CORE's work.

Keywords: Apathetic; Attitudes; Black community; Black ministers; Chief of police; City Hall; College of the Bible; Lexington Committee on Religion and Human Rights; Opposition; Rallies; Sit-ins; White community

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States; Integration; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.; Race discrimination.; Racism--Kentucky--Lexington

Partial Transcript: Who made up CORE? What type people?

Segment Synopsis: Marlatt talks about the types of people who were members of CORE, and talks about race relations within the group.

Keywords: Conflicts; Constructive activities; Membership; Students

Subjects: Civil rights movements--United States; College students--Political activity.; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.

Partial Transcript: What things did CORE actually accomplish during the civil rights movement?

Segment Synopsis: Marlatt talks about what she believes CORE accomplished in Lexington, opening public accommodations and job opportunities to African Americans.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Achievements; City ordinances; Communication; Employers; Hiring; Job opportunities; Leadership; Public accommodation

Subjects: African Americans--Employment.; African Americans--Segregation; African Americans--Social conditions.; Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States; Integration; Lexington (Ky.)--Race relations.; Race discrimination.; Racism--Kentucky--Lexington

Partial Transcript: And I'd like--before we stop I do want to say, I mentioned the Pleasant Green Baptist Church but a group who gave the civil rights movement a very strong support, uh, was Reverend Jones and, uh, members of his family.

Segment Synopsis: Marlatt talks about the role of churches in the civil rights movement. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Cooperation; Human rights; Ministers; Reverend Jones; Sylvia Jones

Subjects: African American churches--Kentucky; African American families; African American leadership; Civil rights demonstrations; Civil rights movements--United States