Thomas Mason
Thomas Mason - On the African American freedom struggle and Civil Rights Movement in Chapel Hill
"“It felt good. It was almost like ‘wow, this really happened.’ And when the majority of the Black community became involved is probably when it was the most rewarding.”
- Thomas Mason
This interview is a part of an oral history project in which Yonni Chapman interviews a series of African Americans from the Chapel Hill area about the local freedom struggle and civil rights movement. In this interview, Thomas Mason, an African American mn who grew up in Chapel Hill, delves into his childhood and teenage years. Mason talks about what it was like growing up beside white people during segregation. Additionally, Mason was a strong activist within the Chapel Hill’s civil rights movement as a teen. Mason reflects on his experiences participating in sit-ins and marches, and details the community’s reaction to his efforts.
