Renault Robinson (Finding Aid)

Renault Robinson

1942 -

Favorite Color: Brown and Green

Favorite Food: Chicken

Interview Length: 134 minutes

Interview Date(s): July 3, 2002

Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Renault Robinson summarizes his youth, including his early educational and job experiences. He also briefly discusses his family background. He concludes by detailing how he became a policeman in Chicago's Vice Control Division. Renault Robinson recalls his early years with the Chicago Police Department, first as a policeman and later as a detective with the Vice Control Division. He then recounts the founding of the Afro-American Policeman's League. Robinson describes the corruption and intimidation central to police culture in Chicago, and details the threats and harassment he endured for participating in the League. He discusses black police officers' and political representatives' fear of confronting the Chicago Police Department and Mayor Richard J. Daley, and tells about helping to convince the African American politician Ralph Metcalfe to break with the Daley machine on the subject of police brutality. Renault Robinson discusses in detail his employment discrimination lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department and its implications for both the city of Chicago and his own life. He recalls in particular the surveillance and harassment he endured from the FBI's notorious Red Squad. Renault Robinson recalls the effect of his employment discrimination lawsuit against the city of Chicago, including the exposure of the Red Squad's surveillance files. He also briefly describes the scene of Fred Hampton and Mark Clark's assassination. He then details his efforts to rid Chicago politics of corruption from his position at the Chicago Housing Authority. He concludes by reflecting on his life and career. Renault Robinson reflects on his life and career, including its effect on his children. He then narrates a number of photographs from his family and career.

55 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)