Gilbert Banks
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
WWII veteran and skilled construction laborer, Gilbert Banks joined CORE during the Ebinger’s campaign because of the extreme difficulty he experienced getting unionized construction jobs.
In this recording, Banks discusses his early life in Brooklyn and time in the air force. Additionally, he speaks about his experience of post-war employment discrimination, racism in unions, CORE’s early years and his roles in the Ebinger’s and Downstate campaigns.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 1
Brooklyn Public Library
2000-04-01
Banks, Gilbert
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 38 min, Side B 38 min
en-US
Sound
01_G_Banks
Brooklyn (borough)
1926-2000
Rioghan Kirchner
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
Rioghan Kirchner joined CORE after reading about its housing campaigns in the local newspapers. She expected she would be doing clerical work, but ended up becoming one of their white testers. Her first experience as a white tester was a disaster but soon learned the tactics needed to expose racial discrimination. She and other members of Brooklyn CORE’s Housing committee took pride in exposing racial discrimination. CORE’s tactics of sending in white testers, conducting sit-in’s, protesting and filing complaints to the New York City’s Commission on Intergroup Relations (COIR) allowed the integration of many white neighborhoods.
In this recording, Kirchner discusses her childhood in England, move to New York, and introduction to CORE. She speaks about her part in most of the chapter’s major campaigns including the role of white testers in CORE’s Housing Integration campaign.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 3
Brooklyn Public Library
2000-09-29
Kirchner, Rioghan
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 30 min, Side B 30 min
en-US
Sound
03_R_Kirshner
Brooklyn (borough)
1930-2000
Arnold Goldwag
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
Arnold Goldwag joined CORE in the early 1960s when he was a student at Brooklyn College. He was part of CORE’s first sympathy strikes at Woolworths, Ebinger’s demonstrations and actions at Downstate. He became a central member of the group and in later years acted as Brooklyn CORE’s public relation chairman. After he left CORE, Goldwag worked as a health and safety inspector for a municipal workers’ union.
In this recording he discusses racism in postwar Brooklyn, his strict Jewish upbringing, Ebinger’s Bakery, CORE’s record management systems and leadership structure.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 5
Brooklyn Public Library
2000-10-13
Goldwag, Arnold
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 45 min, Side B 8 min
en-US
Sound
05_A_Goldwag
Brooklyn (borough)
1938-2000
Elaine Bibuld
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
Elaine Bibuld joined Brooklyn CORE in 1962 during Operation Clean Sweep. She is best known for fighting inadequacy due to racial bias in the public school system. With Brooklyn CORE, she organized, a campaign against racial segregation in Brooklyn Public Schools and was central in organizing most of their major campaigns.
In this recording, Elaine discusses her experiences with racism in post-war Brooklyn, her role in CORE’s School Integration Campaign and her arrest at Downstate.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 7
Brooklyn Public Library
2001-02-18
Bibuld McField, Elaine
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 30 min, Side B 8 min
en-US
Sound
07_E_Bibuld
Brooklyn (borough)
1930-2001
Msemaji and Nandi Weusi
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
Msemanji and Nandi Weusi, formerly known as Maurice and Winnie Fredericks, became involved with Brooklyn CORE in the early 1960s. While walking on Fulton Street, they notice a group of people outside Woolworth's demonstrating and met Oliver & Marjorie Leeds. Msemaji was impressed by their determination and the inclusion of both African Americans & white demonstrators in the picket line. Oliver Leeds invited them to the upcoming Brooklyn CORE meeting, which sparked the Weusis’ involvement with the chapter.
In this recording, the couple discusses how they become involved in Brooklyn CORE, Operation Clean Sweep, Sonny Carson's role in the chapter, changing their names, and their involvement in the Civil Rights movement from early integration to 'Black Power'.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 8
Brooklyn Public Library
2001-03-09
Weusi, Msemaji
Weusi, Nandi
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 45 min, Side B 20 min
en-US
Sound
08_M_Weusi_N_Weusi
Brooklyn (borough)
1924-2001
Bob Law
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
Radio personality and community activist Bob Law was born and raised in Bed-Stuy. He joined CORE in 1962 when he was a student at Pratt University. He and his friends were impressed with CORE’s innovative tactics during their housing integration campaign. Law was a critical player in CORE’s major campaigns including Clean Sweep, Ebinger’s, and Downstate. In this recording, Law talks about growing up in Bed-Stuy, race and community in 1950s Brooklyn projects, Operation Clean Sweep, and protesting racial discrimination at White Castle and at the Board of Education. He also talks in depth about the outcome of Downstate Medical Center, tensions between black power and non violence within the group, and Malcolm X’s participation in CORE’s work.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 17
Brooklyn Public Library
2004-04-14
Law, Bob
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 45 min, Side B 35 min
en-US
Sound
17_B_Law
Brooklyn (borough)
1940-2004
Edith Diamond
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
Edith Diamond was an African American woman who worked with Marjorie Leeds on the sales floor of a department store in 1940. As part of Brooklyn CORE, Edith and Marjorie conducted apartment testing together. Edith discusses how the landlords were getting wise to CORE’s tactics and how they would have to wait a bit longer to expose the discrimination. Edith also participated in other CORE movement such as the Ebinger’s Bakery protest and Downstate Medical Center. She describes Marjorie as a “drum major for justice.”
In this recording, Elaine recounts her early life and how she met Marjorie Leeds and their friendship before she joined CORE. She also speaks about being a part of the Housing, Ebinger’s Bakery and Downstate Medical campaigns.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 20
Brooklyn Public Library
2004-07-20
Diamond, Edith
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 45 min, Side B 12 min
en-US
Sound
20_E_Diamond
Brooklyn (borough)
1927-2004
Douglass Bibuld
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
In the fall of 1960, when Elaine and Jerome’s Crown Heights apartment was destroyed in a fire, they moved their family from a mixed-income area with a progressive public school (PS 167) to lower income Park Slope were the academic standards of the zoned public school (PS 282) was categorically inferior. When the Board of Education refused to let their children enroll in a higher quality school (PS 200) outside of their school zone, so began a four-month CORE campaign to improve education for the city’s African American and Puerto Rican children.
In this recording, Douglass Bibuld recounts discovering his love for science and literature in the 3rd grade and how he systematically read through every floor of the library.
Purnell, Brian
Cassette 22
Brooklyn Public Library
2004-05-31
Bibuld, Douglass
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 16 min
en-US
Sound
22_D_Bibuld
Brooklyn (borough)
1952-2004
Milton Galamison
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
Rev. Milton A. Galamison was an early supporter of Brooklyn CORE. He is well known as a Brooklyn pastor and activist who led Siloam Presbyterian Church for four decades and acted as the chairman of the NAACP from 1956-1959. He often collaborated with CORE, participating in negotiations with companies like Ebinger’s and city government. He allowed CORE members to use Siloam as a meeting space and speak at his congregation. Galamison often encouraged his congregation to support CORE boycotts and joined their direct actions. He played a major role in campaigns against the Board of Education, partnering with CORE as the president of the Parents Workshop, a city wide group of parents formed to address segregation in public schools. He was leader in the Minister’s Council which co-organized demonstrations at Downstate.
This clip is from his interview with Clarence Taylor in the late 1980s. In it Rev. Galamison discusses the goals of demonstrations at Downstate Medical Center and role of the Minister’s Council in that action.
Taylor, Clarence
Cassette 23
Brooklyn Public Library
1987-10-21
Galamison, Milton
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 41 min, Side B 5 min
en-US
Sound
23_M_Galamison
Brooklyn (borough)
1948-1987
Oliver and Marjorie Leeds
Congress of Racial Equality. Brooklyn Chapter
Civil rights movements—New York (State)—New York
Race relations—New York (State)—New York
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)—History
In the first recording clip, Oliver Leeds recalls how he and his wife Marjorie were introduced to Brooklyn CORE in the summer of 1960 when she was recruited by National CORE to lead sympathy strikes in local Woolworth’s in support of the lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro, NC. In 1960, National CORE experienced a revival and created new CORE chapters by capitalizing on a nationwide wave of sympathy strikes against F.W. Woolworth and other five & dime chains whose restaurants racially segregated African Americans. The Woolworth protests played an important role in recruiting a handful of locals who eventually became members of Brooklyn CORE. Marjorie Leeds, a former communist, and Robert Palmer, a reform-minded community activist, led an interracial group of reform-minded activists with varying religious and political affiliations.
In the second recording clip, Oliver Leeds discusses how the the housing discrimination case at Lefrak Organization caused the downfall of Robert Palmer. "In 1961, Brooklyn CORE took a new approach to the housing issue. They decided to investigate a large real estate firm for racial discrimination. Lefrak Organization was the perfect target, as it was the largest housing developer on Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn. During negotiations between Brooklyn CORE and Lefrak, CORE members began to dislike the tactics of Robert Palmer. Oliver Leeds a member at the time describes Palmer as “an NAACP type. He didn’t mind negotiating, but he certainly looked at direct action with an jaundiced eye.” Palmer refused to participate in direct action such as sit-ins and picketing. After the third unsuccessful attempt of negotiations with Lefrak, Palmer was removed as chairman. In January of 1962, Oliver Leeds was appointed chairman of Brooklyn CORE. His leadership gained success with Lefrak. CORE became a more organized and well developed organization because of Leeds.
Taylor, Clarence
Cassette 25
Brooklyn Public Library
1988-08-11
Leeds, Oliver
Leeds, Marjorie
The material on this website is protected by copyright and/or related rights. All audio and photographic material is reproduced from the Brooklyn Public Library Civil Rights in Brooklyn Oral History Collection, and other collections. While access to many items in these collections is unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Items may be used in any way that is permitted by the copyright and other rights related legislation that applies to the specific use. The user assumes all responsibility for rights related questions.
audio/MPA
Side A 45 min, Side B 45 min
en-US
Sound
25_O_Leeds_M_Leeds
Brooklyn (borough)
1920-1988