Shelby Steele (Finding Aid)

Shelby Steele

1946 -

Favorite Color: Red

Favorite Food: Barbecue Ribs

Favorite Time of Year: Autumn

Favorite Vacation Spot: San Diego

Interview Length: 173 minutes

Interview Date(s): March 30, 2002

Interview Location(s): 403 Foam Street, Monterey, Calif., 393 Foam Street, Monterey, Calif., 393 Foam St., Monterey, Calif., 393 Foam St., Monterey, Calif

Abstract

Political commentator and author, Shelby Steele, shares stories of his childhood in suburban Chicago. The child of an interracial marrige, Steele recounts the profound racism experienced in elementary school from the all-white teaching staff. He also discusses his parents political activism and backgrounds. Political commentator and author, Shelby Steele delves into his childhood experiences with racism in elementary and high school. He describes the loniliness of being one of 10 black students at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and how his father told him to be "like a pirate" and take everything he could from the education he was provided. Political commentator and author, Shelby Steele, discusses his post collegiate life. After graduating from Coe College, Steele worked in E. St. Louis, Illinois. Disheartened after seeing the lack of progress despite the institution of Great Society programs, Steele left to attend Southern Illinois University for his MA, then later a PhD from the Iniversity of Utah. Steele also details his thoughts on interracial marriage and the reactions he and his wife have encountered in the last three decades. Noted political commentator and author, Shelby Steele, discusses the impeteus behind his first book, 'Content of Our Charachter', which was based in part on his observations of the changing nature of racism and race relations in America. Steele also details the racism encounted from Mormons in Utah, while he was in graduate school. Steele also shares a family challenege in dealing with his son's deafness and efforts to ensure he was well-educated despite his handicap. Noted author and political commentator Shelby Steele continues the discussion of his highly praised and controversial books on race in America. He offers an extended concersation on the nature of racism, black self-help, the failure of black parents to educate thier children yet cry racism and other highly charged topics. Noted political commentator and author, Shelby Steele, concludes with his thoughts on race, black political alignment with the Democratic Party, the rejection of individuality bu the black community among toher topics. Steele wants to be remembered as "somebody who took a risk for his own people--took a risk of invoking their ire in order to deliver a difficult truth."

36 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)