Oral history: Win Berd

​Abstract

This interview is on my neighbor Mr. Win Berd who was born in February 28, 1948. In this interview he talks about his childhood and his education. He also talks about what happened during that time and about all the challenges he face in his lifetime.


Transcript

Oral Interview

Radiatou Diarra

RD: Where were you born?

WB: I was born in Philadelphia, PA.

RD:What is your educational background?

WB: I graduated in 1965 from Ben Franklin High School. From 80-83 I was in Community College and earned an Associate’s degree.

RD: Was Benjamin Franklin that hard back then?

WB: It wasn’t that bad back then either. It was much better back then.  

RD: How old were you during the Civil Rights Movement?

WB:  OK but Civil Rights movement go way back. See I was born in 1948. The Civil Rights movement was going on during that time.

RD: What do you remember about it?

WB: I remember about how my fore parents and my parents how they was hung or lynched during that time because they was not allowed to read or write. Their white, I don’t want to call them slave masters but plantation owners used to lynch em or whip em with a whip if they was caught reading or writing during that time

RD: May I ask did it happen in the north?

WB: It did not happen in the North but it happened in the South but the North was just a bad. They were just a racist as they were in the South.

RD: Wait. So did you grow up here?

WB: Yes, I was born and raised here. I been here for 67 years.

DR: Did the Civil Rights movement change racial relations in the US. ?

WB: No it got worse during that time. Cause it’s still going on. Only thing different they are not wearing hooded sheets. They wearing 3 piece suits. I’m talking about the Klu Klux.


RD: Do you think that progress had been made from now to then?

WB: To an extent. Yes, it had been made. I never thought I would see a black president in my time. So that shows that progress has changed.

RD: Was your community, segregated like  separated?

WB: Yes, yes there were certain parts of certain areas all over the city where like black and white didn’t get along. And it still happens.

RD: Where you lived?

WB: Where I lived. I was raised in North Philly. I only been out Southwest for 1970 like 43 years.

RD: How did you feel about the Civil Rights Movement?

WB: I feel bad because it was a part of my people. How they was trying to keep us  from getting where they were at or equal rights. We were not giving that and to this day we are still not getting equal rights?

RD: Have your feelings changed

WB: To what degree? in which way?

RD: From then to now?

WB: It has changed. At one time I did not like my Caucasian brothers. But now that I see all Caucasian brothers are not bad. You have some good ones. So my feeling have changed.

RD. Thank you so much.

WB: You’re welcome.


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