Charles Jones
section: Interviews
Mr. Charles Jones was born in Chester, South Carolina in 1937. His family moved to the Biddleville neighborhood of Charlotte when he was young and he has remained in the area since. He received his Bachelors from Johnson C. Smith University in 1958 and his law degree from Howard University in 1966. During the sixties, Mr. Jones was involved with the NAACP, helping to orchestrate various sit ins at Charlotte lunch counters. He now practices law, an occupation he has held for thirty years. Mr. Jones recalls various times he spent as a young man in Brooklyn, visiting such places as the Lincoln Theatre and Second Ward High School. He also has many fond memories of various individuals and groups who lived in and around the old neighborhood.
Tape Log
Tape Log: Oral History Interview with Charles Jones
Interviewed by Nicholas Gallardo
| Time | Description of Interview Contents |
|---|---|
| 0:00 | Introduction |
| 0:56 | Strongest memory of Brooklyn: Lincoln Theatre, Grand |
| 2:44 | House of Prayer, music, “Sweet Daddy” Grace, sense of community |
| 5:06 | House of Prayer parade, musicians, symbol of pride for African American community |
| 7:36 | Christmas parade |
| 8:17 | Neighborhood identity (i.e.Brooklyn, Biddleville, Oak Lawn), etiquette involved in visiting Brooklyn, city band organization, neighborhood competition. |
| 12:12 | West Charlotte vs. Second Ward basketball games |
| 14:31 | Courting in Brooklyn |
| 17:00 | Community Pride, identification. Being raised by community as whole, neighborhood cooperation |
| 21:33 | Current real estate development |
| 22:36 | Story in Lincoln Theatre |
| 24:41 | Memorable buildings, ie AME Zion Publishing House. |
| 25:34 | Discussion of Populist Movement, African American increase in involvement of business, government |
| 26:45 | Johnson C. Smith University, cultural/social center, Biddle Hall |
| 28:58 | Family history of college graduation |
| 32:05 | Mr. Clinton Blake, gatherings held at his home |
| 34:25 | Restaurants in Brooklyn, meeting place for many members of community |
| 35:58 | Print shop in Brooklyn, production of political flyers (1960s) |
| 39:59 | Thoughts on “slum” status of Brooklyn, political mindset |
| 45:45 | Recalls people affected by relocation |
| 46:49 | First awareness of urban renewal, mixture of excitement and skepticism |
| 51:20 | Last recollections of Brooklyn, House of Prayer moving, dispersion process. Mentions pride in Charlotte growth though. |
| 54:42 | Sit ins at Charlotte lunch counters, growth of African American political power. |
| 58:52 | Process of relocation, real estate ventures (racial covenants) |
| 1:01:47 | Public involvement in relocating people. |
| 1:02:00 | Creation of new neighborhoods |
| 1:06:49 | Brooklyn as focal point for larger African-American community, sense of loss |
| 1:09:22 | Message of Brooklyn experience and urban renewal |
| 1:12:40 | Future questions: Lifestyle dynamics. Preservation of icons. Liquor/Rent Parties, Police Involvement. Numbers running. Church communities. |