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Wesley South (Finding Aid)
1914 - 2010
Favorite Food: Food--Except Chitterlings
Favorite Time of Year: Spring and Fall
Favorite Vacation Spot: Wherever he goes
Interview Length: 210 minutes
Interview Date(s): July 18, 2000
Interview Location(s): Chicago, Illinois
Abstract
After listing his favorites, Wesley South details his family history, from his great-grandparents to his parents. Wesley South recalls his childhood up until junior high school, sharing memories of his immediate family as well as his early school life. Wesley South recalls his high school and junior college years. He talks at length about the occupational choices available to him before he joined the army. South details his experiences in the army during World War II, particularly the time he spent in Europe. Wesley South recalls encountering racial discrimination in the Army. He also discusses his decision to study journalism at Northwestern University, and details his early journalistic career with publications such as the Chicago Defender and Ebony. Wesley South discusses his change of career from a journalist with the John Johnson publications to a radio commentator, and later, part-owner, at WVON. He also details his relationship with Elijah Muhammad of the Nation of Islam. Wesley South recalls his years with WVON. He also discusses his involvement with important political figures such as Howard Washington, Jesse Jackson, and Medgar Evers. Wesley South talks about the influence and legacy of his career and the radio station WVON. He also shares his views on issues concerning the black community, such as economic disparity. He then narrates photographs from his life and career. Wesley South presents photographs of family members, colleagues and historical events.
80 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)
- Slating of Wesley South interview
- Wesley South's favorites
- Wesley South talks about his family's background
- Wesley South discusses his parent's separation
- Wesley South remembers his grandparents, part I
- Wesley South remembers his grandparents, part II
- Wesley South talks about his aunt and uncle's accomplishments
- Wesley South describes his father, part I
- Wesley South describes his father, part II
- Wesley South remembers his mother, part 1
- Wesley South discusses illness in the early 20th century
- Wesley South remembers his mother, part II
- Wesley South recounts his first experiences coming to Chicago
- Wesley South discusses his school life, part I
- Wesley South describes episodes from his childhood
- Wesley South discusses his school life, part II
- Wesley South recalls his high school years
- Wesley South discusses his occupational choices, part I
- Wesley South discusses his occupational choices, part II
- Wesley South recounts his military experience
- Wesley South recalls his travels abroad while in the Army
- Wesley South remembers his grandfather's death
- Wesley South recalls mistreatment at a military camp
- Wesley South explains his decision to pursue journalism
- Wesley South recalls the beginning of his career as a journalist
- Wesley South discusses John Johnson's Johnson Publishing Company
- Wesley South recounts episodes from his early career
- Wesley South remembers prominent Americans
- Wesley South describes his history with John H. Johnson and 'Ebony' magazine
- Wesley South discusses his employment at the 'Chicago American'
- Wesley South discusses his beginnings in radio broadcasting
- Wesley South describes his business relationship with Fred Wall
- Wesley South describes his dealings with Elijah Muhammad of the Nation of Islam
- Wesley South recalls collaborating with investors to gain ownership of WVON
- Wesley South talks about WVON's move to an all-talk format
- Wesley South discusses his involvement in an associate judge election
- Wesley South recalls how he and Manford Byrd convinced Harold Washington to run for mayor
- Wesley South remembers his relationship with Jesse Jackson
- Wesley South begins a story about the death of Medgar Evers
- Wesley South explains how the death of Medgar Evers exemplified talk radio's importance
- Wesley South discusses the influence and legacy of WVON
- Wesley South discusses economic disparity in the black community
- Wesley South shares his opinions on social problems in the United States
- Wesley South discusses Clarence Thomas's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court
- Wesley South considers his legacy
- Wesley South considers how his grandfather would have reacted to his career success
- Photo - Wesley South in a publicity photo
- Photo - Wesley South with others
- Photo - Wesley South in a publicity photo
- Photo - Wesley South in a publicity photo
- Photo - Wesley South and others outside a storefront
- Photo - Rev. Jesse Jackson, ca. 1960s
- Photo - Funeral ceremonies for unknown person
- Photo - Wesley South with prominent Chicago political figures
- Photo - Wesley South with youths in the aftermath of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's assassination, April 1968
- Photo - Wesley South with Elijah Muhammad, 1968
- Photo - Wesley South with children on a field trip to WVON, ca. 1986
- Photo - Wesley South's autographed portrait of Mayor Harold Washington of Chicago, Illinois, 1985
- Photo - Publicity photo of Wesley South, ca. 1988
- Photo - Wesley South with Senator Carol Moseley Braun at a community meeting, Chicago, Illinois, 1996
- Photo - Wesley South outside of WVON studios, Chicago, Illinois, ca. 1992
- Photo - A parade down Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia
- Photo - Wesley South with WVON executive Bernadine Washington and Senator Charles Percy of Illinois, 1966
- Photo - Wesley South receives an award from an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. representative, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
- Photo - Wesley South in a portrait taken at The Blue Note nightclub, Chicago, Illinois, ca. 1960
- Photo - Portrait of Wesley South taken in Broadview, Illinois, 1992
- Photo - Wesley South with other Chicago, Illinois figures during his campaign for U.S. Congress, Springfield, Illinois, 1968
- Photo - Wesley South and others at a celebration of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas celebration, 1954
- Photo - Wesley South observes unrest after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Woodlawn area, Chicago, Illinois, 1968
- Photo - Portrait of Wesley South, ca. 1963
- Photo - Wesley South with Illinois governor and presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson, 1952
- Photo - Wesley South with his daughter, his assistant and Mr. and Mrs. Neil Hartigan, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
- Photo - Wesley and Mildred South with 'Cadillac' Al Johnson at an Operation PUSH/Breadbasket fundraiser, Chicago, Illinois
- Photo - Wesley South with assistant campaign manager, Jim Hutchinson, at a fundraiser during his bid for U.S. Congress, 1968
- Photo - Wesley South with Muhammad Ali, Chicago, Illinois
- Photo - Wesley South with American artists in a cultural exchange program at the Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, 1966
- Photo - Wesley South with family members at Christmas, 1967
- Photo - Wesley South and others celebrate the Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas decision, cover of 'Crisis,' magazine, 1979
- Photo - 'The Atlanta Journal' article on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s funeral procession, Atlanta, Georgia, 1968
- Photo - Wesley South with then-Chicago, Illinois 8th ward alderman, William Cousins, 1968