The following is an excerpt from transcript of -Oral history interview with Elma Lewis, 1997 July 25 and Sept. 19, 1997, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution: MS. LEWIS: But you see, from the time my father migrated here to World War II that was still true. Elwood McKinney was a lot, lot better than that. And my father migrating to Boston, thats 20, 30 years - 30 years later. And hes a Harvard graduate by then. Harvard graduates couldnt find jobs if they were black. MR. BROWN: And then later he was able to - MS. LEWIS: They were able to - MR. BROWN: - become a judge? MS. LEWIS: Thats right. But thats a lifetime wasted. MR. BROWN: Yeah. MS. LEWIS: You dont recapture those years. And were constantly asked, arent you so excited this is the first this and the first that? No, because you think of a lifetime wasted. You would not be so happy if your son carried bags at South Station until he was 40, 50 years old to become an acknowledged professional when hed graduated from college at the regular age of 21. MR. BROWN: It was only after World War II or during the war - MS. LEWIS: No, during the war. So my early memories are very complicated. There is no - we lived complex lives, as we still do, but theyre not as complex as they were then. But we live very complex lives, and Im sometimes worried because theres a charade going on now between younger people - not young people, younger people and the predominant class in America that all is well, when we all know it isnt. MR. BROWN: Mm hmm. [Affirmative.] MS. LEWIS: And the constant querying us as to things that, thats rubbing salt in a wound. The wound is - just rub salt in it. Please click on link below to read complete transcript...... #ElmaLewis #AmericanHistory #IfYouLikeItPleaseShareIt
Posted on: Fri, 21 Feb 2014 14:24:40 +0000
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