Brooklyn Oral History
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Price Davis

September 26, 2016 by Karen Flint
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

https://sites.charlotte.edu/brooklyn-oral-history/wp-content/uploads/sites/1007/2016/09/PriceDavispt1.mp3

Part II

https://sites.charlotte.edu/brooklyn-oral-history/wp-content/uploads/sites/1007/2016/09/PriceDavispt2.mp3

Part III

https://sites.charlotte.edu/brooklyn-oral-history/wp-content/uploads/sites/1007/2016/09/PriceDavispt3.mp3

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

 

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