Carol Brooks

Keith Edwards: Yeah, 1966 when they fully integrated. Cause I went there in the seventh grade, and I was just eleven years old. We went on Franklin Street.

Carol Brooks: See that was back in ’64, in ’63…That’s when we were cheerleaders for Lincoln High School. Patricia Atwater, Evelyn Walker, and Carol Purefoy (then), and Charlie Foushee.

Ben Barge: So you think this would’ve been after school, or?

CB: Well it was after school, but not after I graduated, it had to be in ’64, but…it was during my school, I can’t remember exactly, but I know it was during when I was in school, and I graduated, well, in ’64. So it had to be before, doing the march and before ’64. Sixty-one, sixty-two, sixty–somewhere like that. Because that I do remember distinctly. Marching down Franklin Street.

BB: Of your friends at Lincoln, how many of them do you think, would you say were actively involved in the marches? Most of them?

KE, CB: Most of them.

CB: Yeah, it was most of them. Most everyone of them. I think she’s moved away, and she’s in New Jersey, she’s in California. Did Charlie one expire?

KE: Mm-mm. He’s in Greensboro. Greensboro, Winston-Salem.

CB: Greensboro. See most of them are from Chapel Hill.

KE: But these people, they are calling in, they want to get the book.

BB: Do you remember what it felt like, being in the march?

CB: Well like I told you, it felt wonderful. It was exciting, new, you know, trying to help integrate, wanting to be in the front door. Cause I remember at the bus station, you know, they had the Colored, the White, and we weren't allowed to go on the White side, and weren't allowed to drink from the fountain, down on the university. It was devastating, but it was exciting too, to kind of break the chain and start a new trend, it was wonderful. One thing I think–really what made it wonderful and exciting in Chapel Hill–it just wasn’t violent. You weren't afraid to walk down the street, you weren't afraid to sit in front of a car because…we knew…we would be safe. It was just wonderful here, in Chapel Hill. I can’t speak for other stays, but it was wonderful. I was excited, didn’t mind marching.

Ben Barge: Do you remember what it felt like, being in the march?

Carol Brooks: Well like I told you, it felt… wonderful, it was exciting, new, you know, trying to help integrate, want to be in the front []. Because I remember the bus station, you know, they had the colored, the white, you weren’t allowed to go on the white side, you weren’t allowed to drink from the fountain down on the university. It was devastating, but it was exciting too, to kind of break the chain and start a new trend. It was wonderful. One thing, I think, really what made it wonderful and exciting in Chapel Hill, it just wasn’t violent, you wasn’t afraid to walk down the street, you wasn’t afraid to sit in front of a car, because we knew we would be safe. It just was wonderful here in Chapel Hill. I can’t speak for other states, but it was wonderful, I was excited, didn’t mind marching.

BB: How often do you think you went marching?

CB: [] was a march. [Laughter]

BB: So a lot [Laughter] []

BB: Because in December of ‘63 there was one about every–

CB: Every march I was trying to attend. Pertains to better…

The interviewees provide an overview of the Chapel Hill Civil Rights Movement. They specifically note the emotion of CRM marches of Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham in 1963. They speak on Watt’s Hotel discrimination and Civil Rights leadership in the area, especially of the friendly Pottersfield neighborhood. They speak on teaching students today about the history of the marches and the diversity of their community. The interview goes on to provide insight into Lincoln High School and integration into Chapel Hill High School. Additionally, an interviewee speak on her aunt’s participation in marches and a teacher’s reactions to and participation in the marches, including Ms. Monroe's participation. Also, Hilliard Caldwell's participation. They go on to speak on the cheerleading team at Lincoln High School and the school spirit as students. The students who participated did not have any fear in marching and protesting, even to the point that the interviewees miss marching and fighting for change. One of the interviewees studied at Durham Tech and held an occupation as the secretary at UNC hospital. She worked at a pediatric ward with children and learned at church meeting how to march. Brooks was arrested twice. They speak on the Big John’s sit-in, weekend and after school marches, and balancing marching with school work. The recount singing and chanting during the protests and how Big John and his sons threw ammonia on some protestors. They specifically recall the police officer, David Caldwell and his father, David Caldwell, Sr. arresting many protesters. The interview includes the historical and emotional trauma of lynchings and Jim Crow laws. The interviewees speak about how President Obama is still disrespected because of his race as a connection to the present day. They each explain that white people who helped blacks were seen as traitors. Moreover, integration was seen as taking pride and support away from schools. They conclude the interview with an explanation of racism for the modern generation, such as Trayvon Martin’s murder. They also make other connections to the past with riots in Chapel Hill organized by radicals and how the National Guard dealt with riots. Storm Troopers started riots, and one man killed in Chapel Hill riot. Keith Edwards discusses the poor treatment she experienced after integrating into the Junior High School. Other topics include: Frank Porter Graham; fair salaries; poor whites treated harshly; ministers today; more community representation; excessive drinking; racial bullying; and the black community.