Series:

Black Women Activists in Los Angeles, 1950-2000

Topic:

African American History

Biographical Note:

University of Southern California vice provost for graduate and professional studies, vice provost for minority affairs, and dean of the Graduate School of Social Work.

Interviewer:

Stevenson, Alva Moore

Interviewee:

Solomon, Barbara

Persons Present:

Solomon and Stevenson.

Place Conducted:

not known.

Supporting Documents:

Records relating to the interview are located in the office of the UCLA Library's Center for Oral History Research.

Interviewer Background and Preparation:

The interview was conducted by Alva Moore Stevenson, Interviewer and Program Representative, UCLA Center For Oral History Research; B.A., English and M.A., African American Studies (Latin American Concentration), UCLA.

Processing of Interview:

The transcript is a verbatim transcription of the recording as transcribed by a professional transcribing agency. The interviewee was given an opportunity to review the transcript but made no corrections or additions.

Length:

6.5 hrs

Language:

English

Copyright:

Regents of the University of California, UCLA Library.

Audio:

Series Statement:

This series documents black women’s activism in Los Angeles from 1950 to the present, showing how women’s roles in the professions and in religious, civic, and social organizations translated into community activism to address disparities in education, healthcare, housing and political rights and access.

Childhood in Houston--Background of parents and Grandparents--Parents’ Education--Elementary School Attended--Mother’s Teaching Position--Attending Phyllis Wheatley High--Mother attends Graduate School at UC Berkeley.

Role of religion in upbringing--Religion and self-identity--Role of church in civil rights movement--Recreation and social activities--Effect of Segregation--Commitment to End Segregation--Swimming--Pursuing Higher Education--Emphasis on Education in Solomon’s home--Applying to College--Influence of College-educated Adults and peers on Solomon’s decision--Decision to attend Howard University--Solomon’s experiences at Howard--Campus rules governing young women--Curriculum--Changing majors--Gender roles--Political activities in Washington D.C.--Black Student interactions--Class differences--Dynamics of light and dark skin color --Sororities--President Mordecai Johnson and his background--Memorable faculty--“Mission” to acknowledge African American history--Double standard regarding African students.

Interactions with African Americans in D.C. area--Perceptions of local high schools--Black Greek Letter Organizations--Perceptions of Social Problems--Brown v. Board of Education--Howard University Education as a Foundation--Student Activism--Slow Pace of Social Change--Andrew Young--Religious Clubs as Seeds of Activism--Federal Support for Howard--History of Howard University--AKA Service Project at Home for the Aged--Lack of Social Services--Sororities as Agents for Social Change and Service--Access to Insurance Policies--Graduate School at UC Berkeley--Choice of Career--Securing Financial Aid at UCB--Veneer of Equity and Social Justice--Observing Prejudice--Experience at UCB School of Social Work--Discrimination in HousingClinical, Freudian Nature of School--Field Experience--Culturally Relevant Social Work--Interactions with Neighboring College Students--Willie Brown--Completion of Degree and Concerns of Study Group--Other African American Students--Influences on Ideas about Social Justice and Community Activism--Postgraduate Employment.

Pursuing doctorate at USC--Teaching--Managing family life and doctoral program--Husband’s support--Differences between USC and UC Berkeley, Howard University--Institutional Racism--Differences in schools of social work--USC Sensitivity to Diversity--Ability to Determine Course of Study--Emphasis of UCLA School of Social Welfare--Research Focus --Generalizing about African Americans--Black Rage--Using different research model--Learning from community members--Faculty that influenced Solomon--Types of identity--Effect of social institutions and policy on individuals--Integration of practice--Statistics Class--Teaching Statistics--Powerlessness due to Racial Bias--Dealing with Oppressive Institutions--American Society as Ethnosystem--Effect of Black Empowerment on the Profession--Social Work Research Institute--Integrating Research Findings into Practice--Changing How Research is Taught--Institute Linkages with Social Agencies--Advantages of Working in USC Administration--Minority Fellowship Program--University of Hawaii Reaccreditation--Black Empowerment Banned in South Africa.

Involvement in local civil rights movement--Institutional racism--Misquotation by Time Magazine--Integration versus Separatism--Importance of being Bridge people--Jewish community as example--Importance of community--Central City Community Mental Health Center Board--Wide geographic range of Black Community--Widening access to services--Utilizing indigenous community institutions--El Nido Family Services--NIMH Funding--’65 Watts Rebellion--Douglas Glasgow--Differences between ’65 and ’92 Rebellions--Korean Self-Perceptions--Integration of Social Work Practice--Police-Community Tension prior to ’65 Rebellion--Sensitizing LAPD Officers--African Americans in Local Government--Tom Bradley--Appearance of Dramatic Change--Student Internships in State-Funded Agencies--Southern Christian Leadership Conference--Los Angeles County--DPSS Accountability--Commission on Children and Families--Involvement with Family Preservation--Search for DPSS Director--Dearth of Resources in Needy Areas--Model programs with Church, Community and LAUSD--Political Social Work--Response to Moynihan Report--Changes in Social Work Practice--Raising Family Awareness about Rap Culture--Excellence in Education--Partners in Care.