Brooklyn Core Oral History

A digital project from Pratt's School of Information

This archive presents the oral history of the Brooklyn chapter of CORE through recordings with key members recounting the major campaigns from 1960-1966.

Bob Law

17_B_Law.JPG

Subject

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

Description

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.

Creator

Purnell, Brian

Source

Cassette 17

Publisher

Brooklyn Public Library

Date

2004-04-14

Contributor

Law, Bob

Rights

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.

Format

audio/MPA
Side A 45 min, Side B 35 min

Language

en-US

Type

Sound

Identifier

17_B_Law

Coverage

Brooklyn (borough)
1940-2004

Citation

Purnell, Brian, “Bob Law,” Brooklyn Core Oral History, accessed June 8, 2023, http://brklyncore.prattsi.org/items/show/129.