Sonny Carson

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

Sonny Carson was drawn to the chapter’s militant and dramatic tactics during the Downstate protest. Carson became a regular at meetings in 1964-1965 and recruited new members who were young, black, radical and influenced by black nationalism. He was elected chairman of the chapter in 1966 infusing Brooklyn CORE with new vitality. Under Carson there was a shift away from interracial membership, action-oriented culture and protest strategies. Instead the chapter began to focus on community organizing in Brooklyn’s black communities and embraced ideas and organizational methods of the Black Power Movement.

In this recording, Carson recounts his childhood in Bed-Stuy, CORE at Downstate, cultures within the NYC civil rights movement, the exit of white members from the chapter, and tensions between black power ideology and non-violence in the chapter.

Kim, Claire Jean

Cassette 34

Brooklyn Public Library

1995-11-12

Carson, Sonny

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audio/MPA

Side A 45 min, Side B 8 min

en-US

Sound

34_S_Carson

Brooklyn (borough)

1936-1995