Interview with Otis A. Singletary, July 13, 1990

Interview Summary

This interview, which covers the year 1984, begins with a discussion of the Kentucky Human Rights Commission addressing the issue of women faculty at the University of Kentucky. There was a feeling that not many were being employed or retained. Dr. Singletary talks about this and moves into a discussion of the tenure system in universities. He talks about his feelings regarding affirmative action (whether it is applied to race or gender). He explores Diane Ravitch's The American Scholar and goes into depth about multiculturalism in schools, problems with television, the decline of the family, and individuals' perceptions of the world, our history, and our freedom.

Dr. Singletary discusses the Gulf War codenamed Operation Desert Storm and the contemporary events in the Middle East. He mentions the book The Wise Men and its focus on Kinnon, Dean Atchison, John J. McCloy, and Averil Harriman. Singletary discusses his interactions with Sheik Omar Makhtoum and the $5 million donation to the Equine Research Facility at the University of Kentucky. In February 1984, Dr. Singletary was invited to the Middle East with Bob McKeown and Gov. Martha Layne Collins to visit Makhtoum.

Interview LC Subject

Singletary, Otis A.

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.