Interview with Whitney Young, April 13, 1964

Interview Summary

Whitney Young, a civil rights movement leader affiliated with the National Urban League, discusses multiple issues facing African Americans during the 1960s. Young begins with the history of the National Urban League, and its contemporary role in the movement. Next, the historical events that led up to the culmination of the civil rights movement are listed. Whites and their recent participation in the movement is documented, as well as a discussion of W.E.B. Dubois' concept of the split in African American culture. An exploration of Young's writing and interpretations of it are also given. African Americans' financial contributions to the civil rights movement are illustrated. The American class system and how it relates to the problems of Blacks is investigated. Additionally, Young compares the situations of segregation in both the north and south. Young ends with discussions of American history, with an emphasis on the Civil War, newfound Black solidarity, and the challenges of integration upon the country.

Interview Keyword

The Urban League W.E.B. Dubois Assimilation Pluralism Equal opportunity Who Speaks for the Negro? (Book)

Interview LC Subject

African Americans--Civil rights Race relations African Americans--Segregation Civil rights movements--United States African Americans--Race identity

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.