Price Davis
section: Interviews
Mr. Price Davis’ memories span almost twenty years, and, although he resided in Cherry and New York City during this time, attended the first African-American High School in Charlotte, Second Ward, which was located in the heart of Brooklyn. Graduating from Second Ward in 1939 and about to turn eighty years old in two months, Mr. Davis was very emotional and vocal with his testimony, offering a fascinating view into not only the daily life of the residents of Brooklyn but also insights into public services, specifically the actions and policies of the Charlotte Police Department. Mr. Davis describes, in detail, the feelings towards the first black officers in Charlotte, his brutal treatment under white officers, and his ultimate love of the city of Charlotte and how it has changed. Davis participated in two interviews, the second of which was recorded with a small group of Second Ward High School Alumni.
Mr. Price Davis is also included of the Second Ward Alumni Interview
Part I
Part II
Part III
Audio - Price Davis
Tape Log: Oral History Interview with Price Davis
| Time | Description of Interview Contents |
|---|---|
| TAPE 1, SIDE 1 | |
| 0.0 | Beginning of Interview |
| 1.0 | Fondest Memories of Brooklyn, High School Graduation and the importance of a diploma |
| 3.0 | Rivalry between Cherry and Brooklyn, Reunions between friends, Sports rivalries – Second Ward and West Charlotte |
| 6.0 | Businesses in Brooklyn, the “Block,” |
| 8.0 | Schooling, A typical night in the Davis home, the teachers of Second Ward High – “The second best thing to go to heaven.” The story of Mr. Diamond, Mr. Farmer, and Mr. Wally, Early exposure to politics |
| 13.0 | The good white officers, back to the teachers |
| 15.0 | Church background, Myers Tabernacle AME Zion church, father’s life as a preacher, AME Zion organization, and influential preachers |
| 19.0 | Why not visiting other neighborhoods |
| 20.0 | Defining Brooklyn’s boundaries, “Blue Heaven,” the Davis’ buys a home |
| 25.0 | People have no voice in Urban Renewal, Protests, importance of the vote |
| 28.0 | Communism and politics in the black community, intimidation by the KKK, the political climate of the South, blacks running in politics, relations of the mayor and Brooklyn |
| 33.0 | [Phone interruption] |
| 34.0 | Attitudes about the Police, Police brutality, abuse; but not all were bad, the choice of how to get home safe |
| 39.0 | Personal feelings towards being beaten by the police, “Strom was a bad dude,” racism and politics, continues the how to get home story, complaining to the police, a prison in your own neighborhood, reflections now after the abuse and why he left for New York City |
| 44.0 | Nature of Police Officers – The story of Homer – Black Police requirements TAPE 1 SIDE 2 |
| 46.0 | I knew two slaves in my life.” Story of the two former slaves he knew |
| 48.0 | Fatal Police Brutality, Police separating races who were getting together, fear of false accusation of a crime |
| 50.0 | Resistance and the KKK Police connection |
| 52.0 | The riot against the Police |
| 55.0 | The first black officers in Charlotte (showing picture of the officers) |
| 56.0 | The story of James Ross, respecting the police, a ray of hope, the legacy of James Ross, felt safer with the black police |
| 61.0 | Change in white officers, police policies, coming home to visit from New York, terrorism then and now |
| 65.0 | The remains of Second Ward High, clubs or hangouts near Second Ward |
| 68.0 | Final thoughts on Brooklyn, glad to see it gone, what happened to the people, Cemeteries for Brooklyn, plots on York memorial hill |
| 70.0 | Thank You for your time, end of interview |